Insanity In The United States

The intelligent care of the insane, with a view to the reatoration to health and society, ia so recent that it may be dated, in the United States, in the present ceutury. ïho time is even within the recollection of many now living, when faith in the curability of the dioease becamo general, oven among medical men. Upon the dawning of tlie belief that insanity was susceptible of cure, hospitals began to be built, for the two-fold purposes of custody and treatment; for besides the difficulty of taking care of lunática at home, it was found that comparatively few recovereil. F1021 thÍ3 period hospitals began to be regarded as not only the best, but to most persons the only places for the insane. Henee an inereasing demand for their accommodation, and though their numbers havo multiplied largely, and have greatly increased in size, they are still inadequate to entertain all who knock at their doors and with piteous appeals seek admission. In this conuection may be noted a curious result of tho establishment of new hospital facilities. The newer States, in estimating the hospital capacity necessary for their insane, have naturally consultad the census statistics to find what number to provide for; but it is invariably fouud that when hospital is opened for the accommodation of a given district, the applications for adrnitsiou far exceed its capacity, largely onsnumbering the statistics collected by the census-taker. ïhe country seems suddenly thronged wiüi insane people, and we are apt to bo impressed with the belief that this dread disease is largely on the increase. But the probable fact is that no such increase really exists. It is not unnatural that, maiuly out of family pride, the questions of the census-takers are often evaded, and the relutives of the unfortuuato patiënt, seeing no benefit to come from revealing tbis "skeleton in the closet," keep it from observation. But, promptly -when an asylum is opened within their reach, free to all without pay, the curtain is drawn and they come forward with their amicted. Thnt insanity does not inorease, pro rata, at least in the United States, is proven by the census returns for the past twentyyoars. In 1850. this country had a population of 23,191,876, and a total number of insane and idiots of 31,397, or 1 in 378. In 1860, with a population of 31,443,322, there were 42,864 insane and idiots, or 1 in 733. And in 1870, with a popuktion of 38,555,983, there were 61,909 of that class, or 1 in 623. In England, during the same period, thero was an average of about 1 in 450 ; in Scotland, 1 in 460; in Ireland, 1 in 400; in Fmnce, 1 in 600; and in Australia, 1 in 524. These reports, if accurate, show a favorablo condition in this country as comp.ired with that of others. - Charles 1). Hobinêon, in Scribner for SejH.