FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY OHIO (PART 7)
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HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS
  OF OHIO

   An Encyclopedia of the State
     By HENRY HOWE  LL. D.
    Published by the State of Ohio
        C.J. Krehbiel & Co., Printers and Binders
   Cincinnati, Ohio
       copyright 1888 by Henry Howe
      1904


THE STATE INSTITUTIONS AT COLUMBUS

Asylum for the Insane--Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb--Institution for the
Education of the Blind--Institution for the Education of Feeble-Minded Youth--The Ohio 
Penitentiary

    By the Constitution of the State the Legislature is authorized to provide at the public 
expense for the entire support of these varied benevolent institutions,  and does not take 
cognizance of the pecuniary position of any of the inmates who are alike supported by the 
commonwealth.  Herein the insane or blind millionaire and the insane or blind pauper are on 
the same footing.  It is on the same principle as with the Public Schools where education is 
universal and free to all alike,  and because it tends to the moral and material progress of 
the whole body of the people.

    The following historical and descriptive sketches were written for this work by Mr. Charles
T. Howe,  after a visit to each institution for this object.  They embody a large amount and 
variety of valuable information.

THE INSANE ASYLUM

    In response to a memorial adopted and sent to the legislature by the State Medical 
Convention,  held in Columbus,  January 1835,  an act was passed the same year to establish a 
lunatic asylum for the State of Ohio.

    The First Asylum--  In July, 1835,  thirty acres of land in the northeastern part of 
Columbus were purchased and foundations laid for a building to accommodate one hundred and
twenty patients,  which was completed in November, 1839.  Then twenty seven acres were added 
to the original tract of land and in 1845 about seven more,  making a total of sixty four 
acres.  In 1845-46-47 respectively,  three further additions were made to the original main 
building.

    Destruction By Fire--  On the evening of November 18, 1868,  the entire structure was 
destroyed by a fire,  which originated in the east wing,  presumably through the 
mischievousness of one of the patients.  Through the efficient efforts of the officers and
employees all the patients were rescued excepting six females who perished from suffocation.
The rescued patients were temporarily quartered in the deaf and dumb asylum and in the 
hospital,  which escaped destruction,  standing apart from the main building.  The patients 
were eventually cared for in different asylums throughout the State.

    The Present Asylum Built--  It was determined not to rebuild on the old site,  and that 
property was sold in May, 1870,  and the present location decided upon for the erection of a
new building.  On July 4, 1870,  the corner-stone of the present immense structure was laid 
with Governor Hayes presiding,  the officers of the Grand Lodge of Ohio and other Masonic 
bodies taking a prominent part.

    Vast Size Of The Structure--  The site selected lies some two miles west of the State 
House,  and consists of three hundred acres of elevated land,  commanding a fine view of the 
city.  The grounds have been beautifully laid out with walks,  drives and shrubbery.  In fact,  
so extensive and charming are the surroundings to this institution that it is but a short 
flight of fancy for the visitor to imagine himself in one of the grand old parks of the 
nobility of England.  An idea of the enormous dimensions of the asylum can be formed when it
is stated that the building was seven years in the course of erection,  and at a cost of one
and a half million dollars,  and the distance around the outside wall is a mile and a quarter.
That this is the largest institution of its kind in the world is well known,  but the beauty 
and grandeur of the building and its surroundings,  its perfect system of management and the 
work accomplished in behalf of this unfortunate class can only be fully appreciated by the 
intelligent and observing visitor.

    Modern Methods Of Treatment--  Many well-informed people know comparatively little of the 
modern methods employed in the care and treatment of those bereft of reason and harbor the 
groundless belief that hospitals for the insane partake largely of the character of prisons,  
with raving maniacs confined in cells,  the corridors resounding with cries and yells.

    "Thoughtless he raves his sleeping hours away,  In chains all night,  in darkness all the 
day."

    These ideas,  however,  are the result of the treatment of the insane in times long past,
and it is gratifying to be able to say that the management of the insane at the present time 
stands in happy contrast to that of the past,  the result of great scientific discoveries and
the accumulated experience of years.

    Employments Of The Insane--  Mechanical restraint beyond occasional confinement of violent
patients in the strong room is now entirely dispensed with.  In addition to medical treatment 
various plans are adopted to divert the mind and lead it as far as possible away from self,
and especially from the crushing forebodings common to the insane.  Every effort is made to 
promote the happiness of the patients;  a high moral discipline is exercised with pure 
beneficial influences,  that seldom fail to tranquilize and lighten the burden of their 
affliction.  In addition to providing for their comfort a systematic effort is made to 
furnish bodily and mental recreation.  To accomplish this there is maintained a system of 
daily outdoor exercises,  such as walking,  riding,  playing,  and marching when the weather 
permits.  Carriage riding for the feeble has been a leading feature and is practiced daily. 
A large number have been encouraged to perform different kinds of manual labor.  Men are 
employed on the farm,  garden,  barn,  boiler-room.  They are not coerced,  but left free to 
do so or not;  and it being a matter of choice their work is done cheerfully and to their 
profit.

    Benefit Of Labor--  While on a visit to this Central Insane Asylum we were shown a patient
in the clothes-drying room who was busily engaged hanging wet sheets on a clothes horse.  He
took great pride and pleasure in his work and would brook no advice or interference.  The 
official who conducted us through the institution informed us that he silently and faithfully 
performed his daily task and would not hesitate to do bodily injury to anyone who dared to 
assist or interfere with him.  Each person employed works on an average about fours a day.  
The benefit of daily labor as a curative agent has long been acknowledged by the best experts.  
Being employed in light labor the mind is occupied,  which with the fresh air and healthful 
exercise do much to promote happiness,  good temper,  and contentment.

    Their Liberties--  Those persons who are under the impression that in the worse cases of 
insanity the patients are in constant confinement and are dangerous to themselves and those 
around them would find their ideas on the subject greatly exaggerated if they could have 
accompanied us through the wards occupied by this class of patients.  We found them promenading
up and down engaged in conversation with each other and occupied in various ways.  Many of them
seemed quite happy and contented.  When their periodical fits of violence come on it becomes 
necessary to confine them in the strong room until the fit wears off,  usually in a short time.
They are liberated as soon as their condition permits and allowed to mingle with the others in
their ward;  and every effort consistent with safety is made to have them feel that they are 
under no restraint.  This,  combined with kind treatment,  the best medical skill and attention
to comfort,  health and happiness,  improves the condition of all and in many cases results in
an entire cure.

    Interesting Anecdotes--  The prejudices and notions that take root in a diseased brain are 
manifested in many ways.  While we were being conducted through one of the wards one of the 
inmates,  a short stout man about fifty years of age with slightly stooping shoulders,  long
gray beard,  a large hooked nose and most repulsive cast of countenance,  followed close behind
the official who accompanied us,  imitating our gait,  muttering in a low tone of voice,  and
steadfastly gazing at our attendant with expression so threatening and sinister as to fill a 
timid person with terror.  Whenever we stopped,  he did likewise,  always keeping the same 
distance us,  and we were not rid of his unwelcome presence until the outer door of his ward
was shut and locked between us.  Our attendant said that the man imagined him an enemy and 
invariably went through the same program whenever the official had occasion to enter his ward.
The man is waiting for a favorable opportunity to attack his supposed enemy,  but the official
told us he was not at all alarmed for his safety,  for when attacked it is only necessary to 
place the hand over the mouth and nose of the patient when suffocation ensues and subdues them.
In resisting the most violent patients it is never necessary to resort to blows.  So skillful 
do the attendants become in the management of the violently insane that two attendants can 
easily manage an insane person when four inexperienced persons would find it a difficult task.

    We had a practical illustration of this during our visit.  A new patient who was suffering 
from acute mania was being brought in by two robust-looking men,  evidently inexperienced,  as 
was shown by the great difficulty they had in managing their charge,  when they were met by two 
of the attendants,  who,  placing themselves one on each side of the patient,  grasped with one 
hand each shoulder and with the other each wrist,  and with the patients arms stretched out at 
full length,  marched him through the corridor with seeming ease.

    Use of Narcotics--  What is known as chemical restraint,  or the use of powerful narcotic
drugs in order to reduce a violent patient to a state of quiescence is never resorted to except
in cases where the health of the patients would not admit of any other treatment.

    Suicidal Tendencies--  The officers and attendants are made familiar with the history of 
every new patient when possible,  and in that way learn their special hobbies and 
peculiararities,  and are governed accordingly in their treatment of them.  We were informed
that those patients of suicidal intent would never attempt self-destruction in the presence of 
others,  and for that reason four or five of them would be placed in the same apartments,  and 
effectually guarded each other.  This class of insane persons consumes much time in making 
preparations for suicide,  so that they are always prevented from accomplishing their purpose 
before their preparations are completed by the vigilant watchfulness of the attendants.  Never 
having any weapon,  every precaution being taken,  they are rendered harmless.

    An amusing incident is related of two females who had agreed to kill each other,  and had 
managed to detach the iron grating from the register,  which was to be the weapon used.  It 
was agreed between them that one was to strike the other a blow on the head,  but not so hard 
as to kill instantly,  so that the one struck would have sufficient strength left to strike the 
uninjured one in return.  They then entered into an animated discussion as to which one should 
strike first,  when the arrival of the attendant put a stop to the proceedings.

    The evidences of insanity are not discernible in the personal appearance of many of the 
patients,  but a few moments conversation is all that is necessary to convince the most 
skeptical that the mind is diseased.  A case of this kind was that of a large, benevolent-
looking old lady who politely invited us into her room with an apology for the smallness of her
quarters.  She gave intelligent answers to our questions,  but upon her trying to convince us 
that she was 2,882 years of age and was the mother of 400 children,  we came to the conclusion 
that she had an original method of computation or was where she properly belonged.  And we had
no doubt remaining as to the correctness of the latter conclusion when we were informed that
she was passionately fond of smoking dried onions and garlic.

    The Ball Room Recreation--  Every Thursday evening a ball is given in the handsome 
entertainment hall in the asylum which is attended by about 400 of the patients.  They all look 
forward to the evening with bright anticipation’s of pleasure and seem to fully realize them.  
The beneficial results of this recreation are apparent.  The excitable are entertained and the 
melancholy cheered,  while the excellent deportment of all excites the wonder of visitors.  
Concerts,  dramatic entertainment’s,  and lantern exhibitions are also given and greatly 
enjoyed.  Everything in fact is done to divert the patients mind from their condition and 
inspire them with that greatest cordial of the mind, hope.

    The great secret of success in the treatment of the insane lies in taking advantage of 
lucid intervals and at such times endeavoring by every means at command to prolong their 
duration.  Hence the employment of frequent and varied amusements,  the object being to beget 
freshness,  vividness and sane consciousness.  The result is a full realization of the morbid 
fantasies of the past and firm resolves to keep in subjection outbreaks of temper,  anxious 
and perverted thoughts,  bewildering illusions and free the mind of  "A whirling gulf of 
phantasy and flame."

    The Asylum Life Not Gloomy-- A visit to the Central Ohio Insane Asylum would at once 
correct the erroneous idea that asylum life is of necessity one of gloom and depression.  
While there is much that is saddening and pitiful indeed,  the many cures effected,  the 
improvement of the majority,  and the kindly care and constant efforts that are made for the 
physical and mental welfare of the inmates cheers instead of depressing the spirits of the 
visitor.

    The religious welfare of the patients is not neglected.  Chapel services are held regularly
on Sabbath evenings and to congregations which are an interesting study.  All degrees of mental
departure are represented,  yet their behavior and attention would set a good example for many 
who boast superior intelligence.  The congregation,  with books in hand,  join in singing, and
the whole effect of the services is to greatly improve the mental condition of the patients.

    The statistics of the institution show that those persons engaged in occupations requiring
heavy bodily labor,  such as farmers,  laborers,  housewives,  housekeepers and domestics,
furnish a large proportion of the inmates.  Farmers and farmers wives abound more than any 
other single class in these institutions.  This is owing to the monotonous lives led by them 
and consequent inactivity of the brain,  which,  becoming weakened from lack of proper exercise
of its functions,  is the first organ to succumb when disease attacks the system.  This showing
is in direct opposition to the general impression that insanity is usually the result of 
excessive mental activity.  The statistics give further proof that the general impression is 
erroneous in this regard,  by showing that the proportion of insane among the educated class 
of people is very small.  This also proves that the laws of health require proper exercise for 
the brain as well as the body.

    The statistics of this asylum for the year 1887 show that 140 males were admitted,  of 
whom 60 were farmers,  25 laborers,  and the rest were scattering,  the highest being 
carpenters,  4 in number.  Of females,  144 were admitted,  of whom 85 were housewives,  28 
housekeepers and 15 domestics,  the next highest being farmers’ daughters,  3 in number.

    The report also states that the daily average number of inmates was 863,  of whom 410 were
males and 453 females.  The report also says:  “Special attention is called to the number of 
recoveries,  being 90 males and 52 females,  total 142,  and also to the low death rate,  
which was 30 males,  23 females,  total 53.  This will compare very favorably with any 
institution in the country.  the percentage of revivers,  based upon the admissions,  is,  
for males,  64.28 per cent.,  and for females,  36.11 per cent.,  and for both,  55.69 per 
cent.  The percentage of deaths,  based upon the whole number treated,  is,  for males,  5.36 
per cent.,  and for females,  3.89 per cent.,  and for both,  4.71 per cent.