value its results might be to the institution. It is a great mistake to suppose that the labor of the insane, when managed upon right principles, can be very profitable. That of a few select cases may be so, but if those also are employed, each one of whom requires a separate attendant to overlook him, or who breaks more tools and wastes more material than his work is worth, though he himself may be made better by the employment, the institution will not be much benefited by the labor of its patients. It has been a matter of deep regret, however, that we have been obliged to suffer so large a portion of our inmates to spend so many of their days in listless vacuity, for want of employment suited to their mental or bodily condition, or of a sufficient number of attendants to take charge of them. As the means of the institution increase, we shall be enabled, I trust, to furnish every patient with work who would be rendered any happier or better for it.

Our average number of patients, it will be seen, has been a little larger, this than the previous year, but many more, undoubtedly, might and ought to have received the benefits of the institution. Among our number have been many old cases sent by towns for a few months' trial-a step that could not be lauded too highly, if the term allotted to the trial were not altogether too short. If sixteen weeks were the average period of residence in the most curable cases, certainly a much larger time is required to make any favorable impression upon those in which the disease has become, by length of time, a habit of the nature. Several towns, with a generosity that deserves all praise, maintain some of their insane poor in the hospital, though they might keep them cheaper at home, for the reason that they can be rendered more comfortable and happy with us.

A large portion of our recent cases was characterized by the highest grade of excitement, but they all did well, and in due season became convalescent, except two, who were removed by their friends while the disease was at its worst. Had they been permit. ted to stay, the result would probably have been similar to that indicated in the following passage from one of the reports of Dr. Woodward, of the Massachusetts lunatic hospital. "In the course

1

of the last year, six private patients, who had been insane less than a year, and who were in a state of most favorable improvement, were removed from the hospital by their friends. Five of these afterwards returned by order of the courts; one has been dischaged, recovered, and the others are now convalescing."

During this, as well as the preceding year, we have had frequent occasion to deplore the removal of patients long before they had a sufficient trial of hospital treatment, or at the very moment, perhaps, when we began to perceive some evidence that our efforts would finally be crowned with success. This step is generally the result of impatience and discouragement on the part of the friends, who too readily imbibe the idea that the disease is fixed, and therefore they may as well spare themselves any farther expense. It is a very prevalent error in this community, to regard insanity as of but little longer duration when curable, than any other acute disease. The observations of those who have been much engaged in the care of the insane, lead to very different conclusions. Esquirol, who, at one time or another, had charge of patients from every class of society, estimated the average time necessary for recovery, at a little less than a year. In this estimate he is also followed by Mr. Tuke, physician of the York Rereat. Few of our cases of recovery remained with us so long, chiefly because we have been obliged, by causes beyond our control, to discharge our patients, before they had acquired that degree of mental strength which it is desirable they should always possess when about to embark again on the troubled sea of life. It has been ordained by nature, that the duration of insanity should be bounded by months. or years, and it is idle to expect the physician to reduce these periods to days or weeks. The most he can do, is to afford to nature a fair chance for restoring the patient, by the application of such means as science and humanity can suggest. It is to be desired, therefore, that friends, in placing the patient under our care, should do it with the settled belief that a whole year may be necessary to effect his cure, and with the understanding that if removed previous to the expiration of that period, the institution is not responsible for the event. In relation to that vacillation of purpose so often evinced

by friends in disposing of the patient, and their interfernce with our management, I would use the language of an eminent guardian of the insane. "When it is contemplated to place a patient in an institution, friends should feel it a point of duty not to act until they are satisfied that it is the best thing for the patients' and their own interest, that they can do. They owe it to themselves, to the sufferer, and above all, to the institution, to ascertain in the first instance whether they can rely upon its faith, its skill and its kindness; and this, too, should be ascertained from a degree of investigation and with a confidence of accuracy, that shall enable them to turn a deaf ear to the little tittle tattle and petty scandal always current to a greater or less degree in the undertow of society, in relation to public establishments of this nature.

We would again say to friends, do not bring your patient to us, if you can do as well or better by him at home or elsewhere, do not bring him with the impression that you are to regulate his treatment, or that any peculiar knowledge you have of his traits of character, will enable you to decide better than the institution, where he shall be placed in its classification, when or by whom he shall be seen, or when he is in a fit state to be removed."*

To the clergymen of Hallowell and Augusta, we are under great obligations for their kindness in officiating at our Sunday evening service. We regret our inability to tender them any other reward than the assurance, that to many of our inmates, their ministrations have been a source of the purest gratification, as well as of salutary impressions which they will carry with them when they re-enter upon the scenes of their affections and pursuits.

To the editors of the Boston Olive Branch, Maine Washingtonian Journal and Temperance Herald, Portland Transcript, Gardiner Spectator, Gospel Banner, Bangor Courier, Franklin Register, Piscataquis Herald, who have generously sent us their papers without any hope of reward, save what arises from the consciousness of having done a good act, we tender our heartiest thanks. We know it will gratify them to learn that to many an unfortunate fellow-being whose mind has been shadowed by clouds and darkness,

*Dr. Bell, Superintendent of the McLean Asylum.

their prints have been the means of lightening the burden of his distress, and awakening a healthy interest in the world without him.

The institution has now finished the second complete year of its existence a year which it is well known, has not been one of unclouded prosperity. Thanks to the intelligence of the community, it was nobly supported through the trial, and having been subjected to a most rigid investigation, it was finally enabled, like Bunyan's Pilgrim, to go on its way rejoicing. Like many other similar institutions, in the early stage of their existence, we are not yet provided with all the means and appliances, which have been found serviceable in promoting the comfort and restoration of our inmates. The munificence of the State in former years, and the present condition of the public finances have induced us to practice the most rigid economy in our expenditures-to withhold the outlay of a single dollar, till satisfied that if the circumstances were known, it would be sanctioned by the general voice of the community. Much more money might, no doubt have been judiciously used, but as the propriety of the expenditure might not have been perfectly clear to those who are unacquainted with the wants of such an establishment, we have not felt warranted in making it. All that we could do, with the means at our disposal, in contributing to the comfort of those entrusted to our charge, we have heartily endeavored to do, and are willing to rest our reputation for kindness and attention upon the testimony of those, now amounting to 60 and upwards, who have recovered under our care. Such testimony is certainly more worthy of confidence than the idle gossip that is always floating about respecting such an institution, or the unfounded complaints of patients who have been removed from us before being cured, and consequently before they could understand the reasonableness of the restraints to which they were necessarily subjected. In the confident expectation of receiving from an intelligent community that support which has already upheld us, and praying for the divine blessing upon us, we enter upon another year of our labors. I. RAY, Superintendent.

Maine Insane Hospital, Dec. 31, 1842.

Extract from the "Regulations" of the Hospital.

ADMISSION OF PATIENTS.

Patients admitted to the institution must come provided with at least two strong cotton shirts-a coat, vest, and pantaloons, of strong woollen cloth-two pairs of woollen socks or stockings-one black stock-a hat or cap-and one pair of shoes or boots.

The females must have at least the same quantity of under clothes, including shoes and stockings, a decent bonnet, and two substantial dresses. In both cases, the articles must be new and in good condition. The woollens must be of a dark color.

The patients offered for admission must be perfectly neat and clean in their persons, and free from vermin and infective diseases.

The price of boarding, washing, medicines and attendance, shall vary according to the trouble and expense incurred, in the judgment of the Superintendent, not to exceed three dollars, nor be less than two dollars, per week.

Before any patient shall be received into the institution, except when sent by towns, a good and sufficient bond will be required for the payment of all expenses that may be incurred for each patient, including board, and such articles of clothing as it may become necessary to furnish.

For the admission of patients sent by towns, a written request for such admission, signed by the Overseers of the Poor, will be required.