USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. XII > Part 69
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2. A Committee on Farms and Lots, who shall have charge of that description of the property of the estate, which they shall visit at least twice in each year; and whose duty it shall be to consider whatever relates to the improvement of lots by building upon them, or dis- posing of them by lease.
3. A Committee of Accounts and Finance, who shall examine all accounts presented to the Board, and who shall have all matters relating to stocks and investments under its care.
Section 5. The stated meetings of the Board shall be held on the evenings of Saturday in each week, at seven o'clock, from the first of November to the first of April, and the remainder of the year on Tuesday mornings at nine o'clock.
Section 6. Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or at the request of two mem- bers . The Secretary shall insert on the notices of such meetings the object of the call, and no other business shall be transacted without the consent of all the mem- bers present.
Section 7. The order of business at the stated meet- ings shall be,
1. The roll called and the minutes of the preceding meeting read, corrected if necessary, and adopted.
2. Communications from the Treasurer.
3. Communications from the Agent.
4. Communications from the Agent of Farms.
5. Reports of Committees.
6. Unfinished business from the minutes.
Section 8. The office hours of the Treasurer shall be- from nine o'clock A. M. to three o'clock P. M.
Section 9. That the President shall appoint all Com- mittees, unless otherwise ordered by the Board.
An -Ordinance for the management of the Girard College.
Section 1. Be it ordained and enacted by the citizens of Philadelphia, in Select and Common Councils assem- bled, That the Mayor of the city, the President of the Select Council, and the President of the Common Coun- cil, for the time being, and fifteen other persons, to be chosen in the manner hereinafter specified, shall consti- tute a Board of Directors of the Girard College, whose duty it shall be to superintend the organization and ma- nagement of the said college in conformity with the will of the late Stephen Girard, and with such ordi- nances as the Select and Common Councils may from time to time enact in relation thereto.
of such joint meeting to cause publication to be made immediately thereafter, of all the names so recorded, in at least four of the daily newspapers printed in the city of Philadelphia, three times in each.
Section 3. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Select and Common Councils shall assemble in joint meeting on the second Monday in February next, and shall then and there choose, by ballot, fifteen citizens of Philadelphia, not members of either Council to be trustees of the Girard College.
Section 4. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That as soon as the said elec- tions shall be completed, the Clerks of the Select and Common Councils shall divide the persons so chosen, by lot, into three classes, of five each, the first class to serve one year, the second to serve two years, and the third to serve three years, and shall record the result upon the minutes of the joint meeting.
Section 5. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That on the second Monday in February of each succeeding year, the Select and Com- mon Councils, in joint meeting, shall elect five citizens of Philadelphia, not members of either Council, to serve as Trustees of the Girard College for the term of three years next ensuing, and to supply the place of those whose term of service shall have expired.
Section 6. And be it further ordained aud enacted by the authority aforesaid, That any vacancy in the Board of Trustees, arising from the death, resignation, or re- moval from the city of any member, or from the circum- stance of any person elected declining to serve, shall be supplied by a special election, to be had as early as con- venient after such vacancy is known to exist.
Section 7. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Trustees first chosen shall meet within ten days after their appointment, and shall elect one of their own number to be President, and one other person, not of their own number, to be Secre- tary of the Board, and that the election of President and Secretary shall take place, in each succeeding year, at the meeting next after the second Monday in February.
Section 8. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Secretary so chosen shall keep regular minutes of the proceedings and trans- actions of the Board, and shall perform such other ser- vices as the Councils or the Trustees may from time to time require, for all which he shall receive a reasonable compensation, to be fixed by the Board of Trustees, not exceeding six ltundred dollars per annum, payable quarterly.
Section 9. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no member of the said Board of Trustees shall be allowed or receive any com- pensation for liis services, directly or indirectly, nor shall any member of the said Board, or of the Select or Common Council, at any time, hold any station or per- form any work or duty, to which compensation or emo- lument may be attached, relating to the said college, nor shall such member of the Board, or any officer, or agent by them appointed, or any member of the Select or Common Council, be directly or indirectly concerned in any contract, arrangement, or engagement, for doing any work, or furnishing any materials, whereby any profits or advantage may ensue to him, relating to the erection or management of said college.
Section 10. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That it shall be the duty of the said Trustees, as soon as practicable, to prepare and submit to Councils for their approbation, the plan of a system of government and instruction for the said college, having reference to the provisions of the will of Stephen Girard, so far as they are express upon this subject.
Section 2. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Select and Common Councils shall assemble in joint meeting, on the first Monday of February in each year, and shall then and there record the names of such citizens of the city of Philadelphia as may by any member or members of ei- Section 11. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the Trustees of the ther of the Councils be proposed as members of such board of trustees, and it shall be the duty of the clerks i Girard College shall, from time to time, as occasion may
236
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
[OCTOBER
require, present to Councils detailed estimates of the sums of money required for the performance of the du- ties assigned them, in order that all necessary and pro- per appropriations may be made; but that such Trus- tees shall not enter into any contract or engagement whatsoever, unless expressly authorized to make the same, or unless a regular appropriation has been made for that object.
Section 12. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the power of appoint- ing and removing all officers, Professors, Tutors, and Agents, necessary for the government and instruction of the Girard College, and of admitting and dismissing scholars, subject to all the provisions of the will of Ste- phen Girard relating thereto, shall be vested in the said Board of Trustees and in their successors for ever.
Section 13. And be it further ordained and enacted by the authority aforesaid, That ten of the said Trus- tees shall be a quorum for the transaction of business, who, in the absence of the President, shall appoint a President pro tempore.
Enacted into an Ordinance, January 31st, 1833.
PRISON DISCIPLINE.
The annexed circular and queries lately issued by the Philadelphia Society for alleviating the miseries of public prisoners, are recommended to the attention of those who can furnish the desired information. To the zeal and industry of this Society the state is already largely indebted for many improvements in our penal system, and it is with a view to collect facts, tending to point out further defects, and suggest future remedies, that these queries are now addressed to gentlemen throughout the state.
Ofice of the Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons.
No. 119, WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, SEPTEM- BER 16, 1833.
SIR-
The Philadelphia Society for Alleviating the Miseries of Public Prisons, feel a deep solicitude to obtain ac- curate information in relation to the state of the County Jails throughout this Commonwealth, and have direct- ed the undersigned to request you to aid them in ob- taining their object.
The undersigned, therefore, take the liberty of transmitting to you the enclosed questions, and will feel particularly obliged if you will give them the desired information, as regards the Jail of your County, at as early a period as will suit your convenience.
Yours,
Very respectfully, JAMES J. BARCLAY, BARTHOLOMEW WISTER, Secretaries and Committee of Correspondence of the P. P. S.
QUESTIONS.
1. When was your County Jail erected? What are its dimensions, and the number and size of the rooms? Of what materials is it constructed, and what did it cost? How many of the rooms are appropriated to the use of the prisoners? Is there any dungeon, and if so, is it now used, or how long since it has been used? How many yards are there, and how often do the prisoners take exercise in them?
2. Are there any solitary cells, and are they so plac- ed as that prisoners can hold any communication with each other, while so confined? State the number and dimensions of the cells, and the mode of warming, ven- tilating, and lighting them. What is the longest, and what the usual time of confining prisoners in the solita.
ry cells? By what authority are prisoners so confined? Are they employed while in these cells, and at what work?
3. How is the Prison warmed and ventilated?
4. What means are used to classify the prisoners? Is all communication between the sexes prevented? Are the untried prisoners separated from the convicts and vagrants? Do the debtors ever associate with the untried prisoners or convicts?
5. How are the convicts fed and clothed? What is the ration allowed each convict? What provision is made by the County for the support of the untried pri- soners and vagrants? Do they receive any provisions and clothing from their friends?
6. Are any ardent spirits allowed to the prisoners?
7. In case of sickness, how are the prisoners taken care of? Is there a physician employed by the County? 8. What kind of bedding is furnished to the priso- ners?
9. What is the average number of prisoners in jail during the year?
10. What has been the annual number of commit- ments for the last ten years, and what the offences for that period?
11. What are the annual expenses of your Prison?
12. What effect has been produced by imprisonment in your Jail, on the morals and health of the prisoners?
13. Is it contemplated to erect a new Jail in your County, or to alter the present one?
14. Is any religious or other instruction given to the prisoners, and to what extent?
15. Are the prisoners employed?
16. Have there been any escapes from your Jail for the last ten years? State the number, and means by which they have been effected.
17. What punishments are inflicted on the prisoners for misbehaviour? What proportion of prisoners has been re-committed to prison after their discharge?
Any other information you may be pleased to com- municate, will be thankfully received.
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
Sixteenth Annual Report on the state of the asylum for the relief of persons deprived of the use of their rea- son:
The Managers of the Asylum submit to the contribu- tors the following detailed account of the state of the Institution, and of their proceedings since their last re- port.
During the past year 32 patients have been admitted into the Asylum; and the number under care at the commencement of the year was 46. Twenty-six pa- tients have been discharged during the year; ten have died; and there remain in the house 42 patients. Of those who have been discharged 15 were restored; 3 much improved; 3 improved; and 5 without improve- ment. Ofthose who remain in the house, 7 are restored; 5 are much improved; 5 are improved; and of the re- maining 25, in whom there is little or no improvement, 21 are old and apparently incurable cases, Of the ten cases of death which occurred, 2 were of extreme old age, and one was that of a patient brought to the Asy- lum in a state of extreme exliaustion.
From the Treasurer's report, it appears that the ba- lance in his hands on the 1st instant, was 389 dollars 6 cents. The sum which has accrued for the board of patients is 6394 dollars 62 cents; the sum of 1433 dol- lars has been received in contributions and donations. The whole amount expended for all purposes, has been 10,650 dollars 96 cents, exclusive of 1030 dollars due and unpaid.
The managers have erected a substantial stone wall ten feet high, around the patients' yards, in pursuance of the authority granted to them by the contributors. The cost of this improvement has been 3262 dollars 30
1833.]
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
237
cents. It has also been found necessary to erect addi- tional furnaces for warming the wings by heated air, to remove the old furnaces, the construction of which ren- dered them dangerous, and nearly useless-and to re- place them by others differently constructed. The new warming apparatus has been found fully to answer its intention, and to keep the day rooms, and the chambers and passages of the wings and end buildings entirely comfortable in the coldest weather of the past season.
About one thousand dollars has been expended in these alterations.
The managers have been obliged to borrow two thou- sand six hundred dollars, to enable them to meet these and other expenses; thereby increasing the debt of the contributors to 12,100 dollars.
In'our last report, it was stated that Dr. Edward Taylor and his wife had given notice to the managers of | their intention to leave the Asylum, and that John C. and Lætitia Redmond, had been chosen to succeed them. Dr. Taylor resigned his charge to his successor early in the third month last, and remained a few days at the Asylum, in order to introduce the new Superintendent. On the 15th of that month his valuable wife was seized with paralysis in getting out of the carriage. after hav- ing attended the meeting at Frankford, and died on the 23d of the same month. Her duties as matron of the Asylum had been arduous, and she had fulfilled them in a manner highly acceptable to the managers. Her death, at the time when she was preparing to enjoy the leisure of a private home, is an affecting and instructive example of the uncertainty of earthly expectations.
The change in the Medical department alluded to in our last report, was soon afterwards completed, by the appointment of Dr. Thomas S. Kirkbride, as House Physician. The manner in which this part of the In- stitution has been conducted, is satisfactory to the mana- gers; and we subjoin from the Annual Report of the Physicians, the following paragraphs, as containing in- teresting and useful information.
"During the last year, thirty-two patients have been received into the Asylum; these, with the forty-six re- maining at the last annual report, make seventy-eight patients, resident in the Institution during the year end- ing 3rd Mo. 9, 1833. In noticing the results of the treatment of these patients, our statement will be ren- dered more clear, by classifying them according to the duration of the disease; a point on which its curability mainly depends.
"The first class includes those who have been effect- ed six months or under; the second, those whose disease has lasted more than six months, and less than one year; the third class comprehends those, whose disorder has existed more than one year, and less than five; and the fourth class includes affections of more than five years, standing. We think it will be obvious from the state- ment, that in the treatment of insanity, as in every other disease,success is correspondent to the promptness with which the means of cure are administered: when promptly attended to, and the patient placed in a situa- tion where he is under a proper system of management, a favorable result may generally be anticipated; but if this is neglected, and the malady becomes chronic, few are more difficult of cure. It is of the greatest import- ance, then, that those interested for persons suffering under this disease, who are entitled to admission into the Asylum, should place them there at as early a pe- riod of the attack as practicable, in order that they may reap the full benefit of those advantages, which an in- stitution exclusively devoted to the relief of such cases, must necessarily possess over every domestic arrange- ment. Of the forty-six patients remaining at the last annual report, there were
1st class.
2d class.
3d class.
4th class.
6
1
5
34
== 46
Of the thirty-two patients received during the pre- sent year, there were, 16 4
2 -32
22
5
36 -78
Of the first class,
Under six months, There have been restored, 14 Much improved, 3 Improved, 1
1
Without improvement, Died,
3
-22
Of the second class,
Over 6 months and under 1 year, There have been restored, 2 Much improved, 1
1
Improved, Died, 1
-5
Of the third class, Over 1 and under 5 years,
There have been restored, 2 Much improved, 3
Improved, 1
Without improvement, 5
Died, 4.
-15
Of the fourth class, Over 5 years, There have been restored, 4 Much improved, 2
Improved, 4
Without improvement, 24
Died, 2 -36
Total,
-78
"In this statement are included several cases of re- lapse, the subjects of which have been for a long time liable to periodical attacks of mania; they are here con- sidered as "recent," as they have been promptly re- lieved by treatment.
"Two of the cases of the first class, marked as "much improved," are convalescent, but sufficient time has not elapsed for their entire restoration.
"Of the six cases reported last year, as restored and remaining in the house, four were subject to periodical attacks of mania; three of whom have received medical treatment during the present year, rendered necessary by the recurrence of their disease.
"In concluding this report, we will observe, that where a judicious system of medical treatment is stea- dily pursued, in such an institution as the Asylum, it exerts a strong influence on other departments, which would not at first sight be obvious. The main object being the welfare and comfort of the patients; all other considerations are made to give place to this. A course of moral treatment, is almost a necessary consequence of a proper sense of the value of medical remedies. They in fact are parts of the same system. After what are called medical means have been successfully resort- ed to, to remove obvious physical disease, moral treat- ment will then be found very efficient in restoring and strengthening the functions of the diseased organ. And we believe it is only by thus uniting them, that full be- nefit can be derived from either."
ROBERT MORTON, CHARLES EVANS.
Philadelphia, 3d Mo. 9, 1833.
An unavoidable consequence of this change in the medical department, has been a considerable increase of expenditure. And although we believe the Asylum,as a Hospital for the insane, has never been in a more sa- tisfactory and encouraging condition, we view the state of its finances with much solicitude.
The receipts from the Board of Patients are insuffi- cient to defray the current expenses; which cannot be
238
SIXTEENTH ANNUAL REPORT OF THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.
[OCTOBER
materially curtailed, without essentially injuring the ef- ficiency of the Institution.
This deficiency, there is ground to fear, will increase: and we earnestly solicit the friends of the institution, to make a strenuous effort to obtain subscriptions for the relief of its funds.
The contributors at their last meeting, appointed a committee to obtain donations and contributions; and it was agreed, that all the Agents of the Monthly Meetings should be members of that Committee. They are there- fore earnestly requested to exert themselves on behalf of the Asylum. We hope, that an Institution which has long been a favorite object with Friends, which has so well answered the purpose in view, and which is yet so heavily burdened, will not be allowed to sink be- neath a weight of debt; but that by timely exertion throughout the Yearly Meeting, a sum may be raised, which shall place the Institution on a safe and prosperous b asis.
RECAPITULATION.
Patients in the House 3d month, 1832, 46 Received since, 32
Making
78
Of whom there have been discharg-
ed or died, ·
36
Leaving at present in the Asylum,
42
OF THOSE DISCHARGED, THERE WERE,
Restored, 15
Much improved, 3
Improved, 3
Died, 10
As admitted, 5
-36
OF THOSE AT PRESENT IN THE HOUSE, THERE ARE,
Restored, 7
Much improved, 5
Improved, 5
Stationary, 25
-- 42
The Account of the. Contributors to the Asylum &c from 3d month 1, 1832, to 3d month 1st, 1833, inclusive.
EXPENDITURES.
Asylum Buildings and Yards, ~ Order for 410 dollars unpaid, S
$4082 17
Salaries and Wages,
1965 18
Farm and Family Expenses,
3563 96
Medical department- Physician's Salary, $200 00
Supplies,
354 05
Furniture,
119 25
Incidental Expenses,
94 10
Order for $10 unpaid, S Interest,
472 25
100 dollars unpaid, S
Balance, viz:
Due from sureties of patients, 1590 65
In hands of the Treasurer, 389 06
do. Superintendent, 500 00
2479 71
$13,130 67
Average number of patients in the Asylum, since last report, 45 2-3 as per monthly enumeration.
RECEIPTS.
Balance last year.
Due from sureties of patients,
$1520 47
In the hands of the Treasurer,
593 78
do. Superintendent, 500 00
-
Board of Patients.
Chargeable this year, 6355 59
Damages done by patients, 39 03
Ground Rents.
Two year's due 1st mo. 1st, 1833, Louns this year.
88 80
At five and a half per cent. per annum, Contributions, Life Subscriptions.
Members of Philadelphia Mo. Meet-
ing, 100 00
do. Northern District, 275 00
do. Southern do. 75 00
do.
Western do.
175 00
do. Abington do. 25 00
650 00
Donations.
From Members of Philadelphia Mo. Meeting, 135 00
do. Northern District, 361 00
do. Southern do.
45 00
do. Western do. 197 00
do. Abington Mo. Meeting, 30 00
From a friend at Baltimore,
15 00
783 00
$13,130 67
Amount of debt on which interest is payable is 12,100 dollars.
Extract from the " Rules for the Management of the Asylum."
OF THE ADMISSION OF PATIENTS.
When application for the admission of a patient is made, a certificate, obtained, when practicable, from a physician in the neighborhood, ought to be submitted to the visiting managers, giving a statement of the cause according to the form, and in reply to the queries subjoined.
I do hereby certify, from my own knowledge that of aged years, is in à state of insanity, and proper to be received into a house pro- vided for the relief of persons of that description.
I further certify, that the answers annexed to the fol- lowing queries are correct, as far as I can judge.
1. How long has the patient been afflicted with in- sanity?
Answer.
2. What medical, or other means have been used? Answer.
3. Has the patient shown any disposition to injure him or herself or any other person?
Answer.
4. Does any other complaint exist?
Answer.
5. What other circumstances have occurred tending to throw light on the subject? Answer.
1833. M. D.
Previous to the admission of such patient, an examni- nation shall be made of the case, by the attending or one of the consulting physicians, and his certificate ob- tained that such person " has been examined by him, is found to be deprived of the use of his or her reason, and may with propriety be admitted as a patient into the Asylum:" and the following bond shall be signed by two persons, as sureties, (one of whom must reside in or near Philadelphia,) for the regular payment of such board as may be agreed upon by the visiting managers.
Application is hereby made for the admission of as a patient into the Asylum for the relief of persons deprived of the use of their reason; upon whose admission, we severally engage to
154 05
$2614 25
2600 00
239
provide a sufficiency of suitable clothing for use
whilst there; to pay to Superintendent of
said Institution, or to his assigns or successors in office dollars cents, per week, for board;
(not less than four weeks board to be paid for, notwith- standing may not remain so long in the Asylum;) to make compensation for all damages done by to
the glass, bedding, or furniture, and to cause to be
removed when discharged; and in the event of death whilst there, to pay the expenses of burial.
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