Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

from my table five yearl

larger portion of whom had never been educated in any regular method of obtaining a living. Some of them had been accustomed to depend upon the precarious results attending common labor, and some upon domesti

those who were admitted last year to this institution, it appears that thir

er, Mass.; and of the admissions here last year, we find that m

t. were of these classes; while an examination of the occupations of those admitted to the Somerset

wn." I think it may fairly be assumed that, in the case of laborers, those who dig and shovel and labor on the public works, or in other places, under supervision, and in the case of domestics generally throughout

is to show from what class of persons, so far as an education in any of the ordinary employments is concerned, a very large percentage of the admissions to

ons sustains to the whole population. The whole number of domestics, common laborers, and persons of no occupation, must be small as compared with the whole number of persons above fifteen years of age, and from wh

, and have been for years, in tending to some portion of machinery which is nearly automatic in its operations, and which requires little or no special training or education on the part of the operative. There might also

inly significant, and I think will appear more so as we proceed. This, however, is only one element or factor in their condition, and it would be far from correct to conclude that this lack of education is in all, or nearly all, the onl

n hardly be any thing of so much importance as an education and training in some regular pursuit. Without this, the individual is left at a large disadvantage in the use of all the ordinary means of success, or even of securing a livin

while the larger portion of that part of the brain which is connected with thought, or, more accurately speaking, many of the faculties of the mind, have been left in a comparatively undeveloped and inactive condition. The result

ferent order, is almost equivalent to a period of rest. After a period of application in the solution of mathematical problems, and the mind begins to weary of this study, it may, with ease and pleasure be turned to the study of some language; so that persons whose duties cover a wide range of thought and subjects of diverse character, ar

or measure of that self-confidence which arises from ability in skilled labor, and not having any training in those activities and occupations of life which tend to develop and strengthen the nervous system; and, consequently, being un

al labor occur, individuals so illy equipped and helpless amid the competitions of society should become insane in large numbers. And I think it must be confessed that there are in operation certain tendencies, in the progress of modern civilization, which are at present very

me measure under his own supervision. The natural outcome of this was that children very often followed avocations similar in character to those of their fathers, and began to learn them early in life. Beginning thus early, though the progress toward any considerable degree of proficiency was slow, yet there resulted a symmetrical training and consequent strengthening of the nervous system, during its gro

almost all the trades and mechanical occupations by large numbers of persons in the form of companies, it has become extremely difficult f

the place of this home-training f

five up to eighteen years, and with the largest diversity in reference to physical and mental constitution: the highly sensitive and nervous, with the lymphatic and dull; the weak with the strong; those with the largest mental capacity,

th in the interest of the State and of the individual, is readily conceded; but that it should extend beyond the period of thirteen or f

ll that period when the system becomes capable of manual effort and of receiving education, is clear; but from t

in exceptional cases? And would not the limited number who are benefited, and who, in consequence, or partly in consequence, are able to push on and enter other spheres of active life, be quite sure of finding the means of doing so in other ways? These acquisitions may be well enough; indeed, sh

ual labor, and frequently look upon it as something tending to degrade them, and as appropriate only for those who are ignorant. They have lived too long in the atmosphere of book-learning, and the physical ennui of the school-room, to be willing to undertake and thoroughly master the details of a trade or avocation, and yet have been there too short a time for any thing else. They may make an effort, however, looking to

th, both of body and mind, to the individual, and make the most self-reliant and self-supporting citizen, rather than give a smattering of algebra or music or astronomy, the remembrance of whi

comes by her present methods of educ

large towns, fail in the conduct of any general business

loyed in most of the oldest and best known manufactories throughout New England and indeed through

ears there has been a rapid diminution in the number of those, especially of the American-born, who apply at the manufacturing establishments to be received as apprentices. While formerly more used to appl

y changing from one kind of business or occupation to another, not unfrequently imagining that they are eminently qualified for some of

gular employment nor any training for one, and which, at th

till greater value to everybody? that, somehow or other, a smattering of book-knowledge would enable everybody to get on in the world without hard work? Have we not forgotten that an education of the nervous system in an occupation, is also one of the brain, and often one of vastly more value in the way of success and health in after-life? I fear that in our appreciati

tion has become one of great power and large significance, especially in all our cities and large towns. The cost of that in the city of Boston alone, was, last year, more than three millions of dollars, and that of New York and other cities correspo

e other method; and I would, therefore, venture to suggest whether, instead of supporting public schools as they are now constituted for all classes of boys and girls between the ages of thirteen and sixteen or eighteen years, at so large an expense, it would not be better both in

ars of growth, than is ever possible in later years. The occupation at this period becomes, so to speak, wrought into the texture of the nervous system, constituting, as it were, a part of it, so that in after-life it is conducted w

began their education in this way, while young; the large majority of inventors in any kind of machinery are those who have thoroughly mastered the details of the kind of work to

ome from failure and recognized inability, have largely to do with creating instability of brain-action, and consequent insanity. If, therefore, we desire to do any thing toward diminishing the large numbers from these classes which now require care and

ost any other. Probably there exists no other source of so much irritation, discomfort and dissatisfaction, in home-life as the utter inefficiency of domestic service in this country. Perhaps no one cause has more largely contributed toward creating a dislike for family-life

interest to do so, but with no previous training, or with the little that could be obtained while at service with wages, what could be expected except failure during the first few years, with consequent worry, anxiety, and ill-health? It would be

may prove herself capable of, fondly dreaming, that somehow or other, this kind of education, if it only be carried far enough, will make good cooks and efficient housemaids; while schools in which persons could be thoroughly educated for these mo

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