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Memorial Of Miss D. L. Dix To the Senate And House Of Representatives Of The United States

Creator: Dorothea L. Dix (author)
Date: August 8, 1850
Source: Available at selected libraries

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188  

Number of old cases. Present age. Time insane, in years. Total expense at $100 a year, before entering the hospital, and $132 a year since; last year $120. Number of recent cases discharged. Present age. Time insane, in weeks. Cost of support, at $2.30 per week.
2 69 28 $3,212.00 1,622 30 7 $16.10
7 48 17 2,005.00 1,624 34 20 46.00
8 60 21 2,504.00 1,625 51 32 73.60
12 47 25 2,894.00 1,635 23 28 64.40
18 71 34 3,794.00 1,642 42 40 92.00
19 59 18 2,204.00 1,643 55 4 32.20
21 39 16 1,993.00 1,645 63 36 82.80
27 47 16 1,994.00 1,649 22 40 92.00
44 56 26 2,982.00 1,650 36 28 64.40
45 60 252,835.00 1,658 36 14 32.20
102 53 25 2,833.00 1660 21 16 36.80
133 44 13 1,431.00 1,661 19 27 62.10
176 55 20 2,486.00 1,672 40 11 25.70
209 39 16 1,964.00 1,676 23 23 52.90
223 50 20 2,364.00 l,881 23 11 25.70
260 47 16 2,112.00 1690 23 27 62.10
278 49 10 1,424.00 1691 37 20 46.00
319 53 10 1,247.00 1,699 30 28 64.40
347 58 14 1,644.00 1,705 24 17 39.10
36740 12 1,444.00 1,706 55 10 23.00
400 43 14 1,644.00 1,709 17 10 23.00
425 48 13 2,112.00 1,715 19 40 92.00
431 36 13 1,412.00 1,716 35 48 110.40
435 55 15 1,712.00 1,728 52 55 126.50
48837 17 1,912.00 1,737 30 33 75 90
454 54,157.00 635 1,461.30

189  

From Dr. Awl's reports of the Ohio institution, we extract the following tables:

190  

In the report of 1840, the number of years that the twenty-five old cases had been insane, was 413; the whole expense of their support during that time, $48,590; the average $1,903.60. The time that the twenty-five recent cases had been confined, was 556 weeks; the expense, $1,400; the average $56.

191  

In 1841, whole cost of twenty-five old cases. $49,248.00
Average 1,969.00
Whole cost of twenty-five recent cases 1,330.50
Average 52.22
In 1842, whole expense of twenty-five old cases 50,611.00
Average. 2,020.00
Whole expense of twenty-five recent cases 1,130.00
Average. 45.20
In this institution, in 1843, twenty old cases had cost.... 44,782.00
Average cost of old cases 2,293.10
Whole expense of twenty recent cases till recovered 1,308.30
Average cost of recent cases 65.41
In the Massachusetts State Lunatic Asylum, in 1843, twenty-five old cases had cost. 54,157.00
Average expense of old cases 2,166.20
Whole expense of twenty-five recent cases till recovered. 1,461.30
Average expense of recent cases. 58.45
In the Ohio Lunatic Asylum, in 1844, twenty-five old cases had cost 35,464.00
Average expense of old cases 1,418.56
Whole expense of twenty-five recent cases 1,608.00
Average expense of recent cases 64.32
In the Main Lunatic Hospital, in 1842, twelve old cases had cost 25,300.00
Average expense of old cases 2,108.33
Whole expense of twelve recent cases 426.00
Average expense of recent cases 35.50
In the hospital at Staunton, Va., twenty old cases had cost 41,633.00
Average expense of old cases. 2,081.65
Whole expense of twenty recent cases 1,265.00
Average expense of recent cases 62.25

192  

It will be said by a few, perhaps, that each State should establish and sustain its own institutions; that it is not obligatory upon the general government to legislate for the maintenance of State charities, by supplying the means of relief to individual sufferers; but may it not be demonstrated as the soundest policy for the federal government to assist in the accomplishment of great moral obligations, by diminishing and arresting widespread miseries which mar the face of society, and weaken the strength of communities?

193  

Should your sense of moral responsibility seek support in precedents for guiding present action, I may be permitted to refer to the fact of liberal grants of common national property made, in the light of a wise discrimination, to various institutions of learning; also to advance in the new States common school education, and to aid two seminaries of instruction for the deaf and dumb, viz: that in Hartford, Connecticut, and the school at Danville, in Kentucky, &c.

194  

But it is not for one section of the United States that I solicit benefits, while all besides are deprived of direct advantages. I entertain no sectional prejudices, advance no local claims, and propose the advancement of no selfish aims, present or remote.

195  

I advocate the cause of the much suffering insane throughout the entire length and breadth of my country. I ask relief for the east and for the west, for the north and for the south; and for all I claim equal and proportionate benefits.

196  

I ask of the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States, with respectful but earnest importunity, assistance to the several States of the Union in providing appropriate care and support for the curable and incurable indigent insane.

197  

I ask of the representatives of a whole nation benefits for all their constituents. Annual taxation for the support of the insane in hospitals is felt to be onerous, both in the populous maritime States, and in the States and Territories west of the Alleghanies. Much has been done, but much more remains to be accomplished, as I have endeavored to demonstrate in the preceding pages, for the relief of the sufferings and oppressions of that large class of the distressed for whom I plead, and upon whose condition I am solicitous to fix your attention.

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