Ninth annual report of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum of the State of New York : transmitted to the Legislature, February 14, 1852 / New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica.

  • New York (State). State Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Ninth annual report of the managers of the State Lunatic Asylum of the State of New York : transmitted to the Legislature, February 14, 1852 / New York State Lunatic Asylum at Utica. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The plan of medical and moral treatment detailed in onr last report, is still continued, adding from time to time such improve¬ ments as are within our reach. Especially do we strive to oc] cupy our whole household, and have succeeded probably to an extent not heretofore equalled. The amount of reading matter wre are able to place in the hands of the patients is very large. Our patients receive, m exchange for “The Opal,” a newspaper edited by them¬ selves, two hundred and twenty weeklies, 4 semi-weeklies, 8 dai¬ lies and 33 monthlies, and the list is still upon the increase. These embrace most of the popular magazines, such as Harper, Graham, Godey, Sartain, &c., and papers and periodicals from every pare of our own State, and from nearly all the other States of the Union, representing every party of politics, every religious denomina¬ tion and many published in the French. Welsh, and German languages. We are therefore enabled to offer intellectual food and a constant intercourse with the transactions of the world, to our whole family. This is a source of unspeakable comfort, espe¬ cially to those who have been long here and who cannot look for actual reunion with society. The Opal was published at 50 cents per annum, and from the year’s proceeds, 650 volumes, standard works, have been purchased as a nucleus for a “patient’s library.” These books are read with interest and profit. It will be continued, but in magazine form, double its former size and subscription price. Plays, tableaux, theatrical exhibitions, fairs, were frequently repeated during the year. These amusements are more generally enjoyed by our household than any other pastime. A limited number have enjoyed excursions. Several parties visited Trenton falls, three parties Niagara falls, some the State fair at Rochester, and returned by way of Seneca and Cay¬ uga lakes, and the Erie railroad. Scarcely a concert given in Utica, from Jenny Lind’s down, to which we have not sent a delegation ; and the scientific, literary and religious lectures, with which our city is abundantly favored, have been equally well attended. As heretofore, the farm and garden in summer, and the work shops and wood yard in winter, have furnished the chief occupa¬ tion for the males, and the sewing rooms for the females.