. The institutional care of the insane in the United States and Canada . The fact that the chance of recovery would bediminished to even a few is enough to make us hesitate before establishingsuch asylums. 2. Many that are incurable are monomaniacs, that are deranged but onone or two subjects, but rational on others; such surely should not bedeprived of any comforts that are afforded to the curable class, amongwhich the greatest is the hope of again being restored to society, whichwould be destroyed if they were sent to an incurable asylum. Equally, ormore strongly, does this objection apply t
. The institutional care of the insane in the United States and Canada . The fact that the chance of recovery would bediminished to even a few is enough to make us hesitate before establishingsuch asylums. 2. Many that are incurable are monomaniacs, that are deranged but onone or two subjects, but rational on others; such surely should not bedeprived of any comforts that are afforded to the curable class, amongwhich the greatest is the hope of again being restored to society, whichwould be destroyed if they were sent to an incurable asylum. Equally, ormore strongly, does this objection apply to cases of remission—to thosenumerous cases in which insanity is exhibited for a week and followed byseveral weeks of sanity. Shall these be told there is no hope for them? 3. Among the incurable insane there would be no certain means ofascertaining the neglect or abuse of them. In all asylums the fact that someare well and soon to leave the asylum is the greatest safeguard againstabuse. It is so considered by all who are much acquainted with asylumsfor the o 00H o P3 < a H•<Z ►Jw H<H «O 5: CHRONIC AtfD INCURABLE INSANE 153 4. No possible good would arise from such district asylums except theymight be conducted at less expense. But how so, if they are to have properofficers, physicians, and if they do not, why are they better than countyhouses? 5. We have had no experience of such establishments. I have neverseen but one such, and that was at Genoa—where the clashing of chains,the howling, groans, and curses gave to the place the appearance of theinfernal regions; where no patient is ever expected to leave until dead;where hope never comes. No, do not, in mercy to the insane, establish asylums for the incurablealone, but provide good asylums for all, and let all have the same kindcare, and indulge the same hopes (even if delusive to many) of ultimaterecovery, but do not drive them to despair by pronouncing them incurable. An elaborate paper from
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