true is this statement that numerous petitions are constantly sent to the Prefect of police, at Paris, requesting to undergo their sentence at Mazas. When the German Code which imposes only three years cellular confinement on prisoners, was promulgated there were 42 prisoners at Bruchsal, who were in a position to benefit by the provisions of the new law all of them prayed to be allowed to remain in their cells. The directors of this prison states that he has known prisoners to have been kept at their own request in isolation during 11, 12 and 13 years without suffering in any way from their confinement. There is even a case reported of a woman who at her own request remained 20 years in a cell, and enjoyed good health. The Province of Quebec which has already been the first to inaugurate so many useful reforms, and to found so many institutions conducive to the happiness of the people, should also we believe, take the first step towards reforming the system of our penal establishments. ASYLUMS OF THE PROVINCE The Asylums of this Province continue their work with honor for the country, success for themselves and benefit to the patients. On each of our visits the inspectors always notice that some improvement has been made, either to the buildings or the furniture and it is with much pleasure that they admit that these improvements have always been effected with a view of giving increased comfort and pleasure to the unfortunate. patients. Besides theatres, various games, numerous engravings and all sorts of pictures suspended from the walls in the rooms, it has been thought proper in order to make the rooms, if possible, more attractive, to paint the walls with large brilliantly colored landscapes. Pianos have also been placed in several wards and those who in better days could use them, are permitted to do so; frequently visibly deriving great comfort therefrom. Flowers and garlands of evergreens, which are so agreeable to all, have also a good effect on a large number of the insane. They are scattered with profusion throughout all the wards and none of the patients ever attempt to disturb, break or even touch them. The proprietors of the asylums are constantly introducing into their estab lishments all sorts of games and amusements capable of exciting the most down-hearted, of reviving the spirits of the most despondent and of diverting them from the depressing thoughts, fixed ideas an 1 delirious fancies which beset the minds of the unfortunate patients. Notwithstanding the numerous improvements and generous treatment all in favor of the insane, the inspectors are happy to be able to state that the proprietors of asylums in this country are not entirely satisfied and that they have other designs in view which will lead to still greater and more surprising improvements. With the present condition of our asylums, it would seem as if the sympathy and pity of the whole population had been concentrated on this one class of sufferers and that enough could not be done to mitigate their affliction. Almost palatial residences, magnificent gardens and lawns, delightful walks, good beds wholesome and well cooked food in abundance, nothing has been spared, so much so that there is no exaggeration in stating that the insane are better treated here than the greater portion of the sane population. The greatest attention and vigilance is especially given to everything relating to hygiene and all health-giving rules are strictly observed in our asylums, more particularly at Beauport and St-Jean-de-Dieu. Ventilation, which is so indispensable in those immense buildings is uncreasingly attended to. The air which one breathes in the wards where 50, 60 and even 80 patients spend almost the whole day, is generally pure. Even in the wards destined for the unclean, the inspectors have seldom reason to complain of any bad smell, so great is the care taken in neglecting nothing that can assist in keeping the institutions cleanly. Amount paid by the Government........... INSPECTIONS. $114,916 40 On the 31st January by inspectors Desaulniers and DeMartigny. There were then in the asylum 459 men and 413 women besides 3 private patients. The patients had supper while the inspection was going on so that the inspectors were in a position to judge the quality of the food. The women were helped to tea and bread and butter ad libitum; the men hash with bread and tea. All appeared quite content. On the 10th of April the inspection was made by all the inspectors. There were 457 men and 409 women; total 866. The three inspectors also made another inspection on the 3rd of July, when there were 456 men and 416 women in the asylum. It was dinner time. The meal consisted of very good pea soup, fish, potatoes and bread. There were only four invalids in the infirmary. On the 4th of December, inspectors de Martigny and Desanlniers found 450 men and 420 women in the asylum, all remarkably quiet. Only four invalids in the infirmary. The number of insane seems to have decreased in this asylum; at any rate there is no increase. ST-JEAN DE DIEU ASYLUM LONGUE-POINTE. The Sisters of Providence, proprietors. Reverend Sister Thérèse de Jesus, Lady Superior. แ improved.............. 14 10 unimproved 12 35 deceased........................ remaining on 31st December............................... .................... treated during the year...... Percentage of cures out of total admissions....... "idiots not counted...... "deaths out of cases treated....... 66 cures out of curable cases...... Amount paid by the Government for the year 1889........ 49 55 708-1677 1677 ..29.09 27.19 INSPECTIONS. On the 20th of March by Inspector Desaulniers and Aylen. There were at that date 552 men and 595 women, a total of 1147 insane in the asylum. The men's infirmary was occupied by 15 invalids, 6 of whom were confined to bed. In the women's infirmary there were 17 invalids 12 of whom were confined to bed. On the 22nd of August by Inspectors Desaulniers and de Martigny, who found there 598 men and 621 women, a total of 1219. Private patients 49 men and 83 women. Protestants 39 men and 38 women. In the men's infirmary only one invalid and in the women's nine confined to bed. On the 19th of November by all the inspectors. The number of patients was 602 men and 625 women; total 1227. Only six invalids. SAINT-JULIEN ASYLUM, FOR FEMALE IDIOTS., SAINT FERDINAND D'HALIFAX, The Reverend Sisters of Charity proprietors. Reverend Sister Ste Adèle, Lady Superior. Number of idots on the 1st of January 1889 100 20-120 1 19 100-120 ... $7,990.94 On the 18th of June by Inspector Desaulniers. There were then 99 idiots. there. A flat 55 feet long and 30 feet wide had just been added to one of buildings which unites the asylum, properly so called, to the convent in which the nuns live This useful addition will permit a further division of the patients to be made A large ward in the new flat will be set apart exclusively for the unclean. It also includes several cells and a bath room. The house is cleanly kept, notwithstanding the difficulties to be overcome with this class of unfortunates. BELMONT RETREAT. AT BELMONT. Doctor J. A. Mackay, proprietor Amount paid by the Government for maintenance of the Asylum.........$2,765.13 INSPECTIONS. There were On the 10th April the Board of Inspectors visited this asylum. then 17 males and 7 female patients at the expense of the Government. Private patients and drunkards 22. Three women and 19 men. Those paid for by the Government are separated from the others. There were three male and one female guardians entrusted with the care of the Government patients. On the 5th of July the Board again inspected the asylum. 23 patients, ten of whom were women, were then in the house. Private patients 17, 3 being women The private patients pay as much as $5.00 per day. One of them pays $80.00 a month, after having fitted up his own room at his own expense. On the 4th of December by Inspectors Desaulniers and de Martigny. The number of men was 19 and women 12. Private patients, drunkards rather than Insane, 10 men and 3 women. Two were interdicts. The proprietor who is desirous that his establishment should become an important one, comfortable as commodious, was having a wing erected in brick 105 long and 35 feet wide and three stories high-the plastering was about to be begun. This new building will be ready to receive patients at the end of next February. It will certainly be the best part of the establishment. On the first fla the men will dwelt, on the second women, and on the third, men. With the help of some of the p tients corn brooms are manufacturel and 33 |