Additional Notes on Provincial Asylums for the Insane in France; with a Brief Report of the Institution at Illnau, in the Grand Duchy of Baden

This public institution?appropriated for the reception of indigent lunatics belonging to the two departments of the Upper and Lower Rhine?is situated on a sandy, well-aired, and open plain, near the commune, or small town of Brumath, lying about ten miles north-east of Strasbourg, and adjoining the railway leading from thence to Nancy by Sarrebourg. Previous to 1S3G, departmental insane patients were usually consigned to the city general hospital, or Hotel Dicu, where they lived in a most deplorable condition, having neither garden nor court-yard for recreation; and, although some of these unfortunate inmates were most improperly allowed to associate with ordinary hospital patients, a large proportion always remained in rigid confinement. Since the period when Esquirol pointed out, and condemned these improper proceedings, the new asylum of Stephansfeld has been constructed; which is truly, and without exaggeration, highly creditable to the public authorities of Alsace. The situation selected occupies a level country, which affords varied but agreeable prospects on several sides, with a forest, at a little distance, fronting the fapade and main entrance. Being thus pleasantly situated, and not overlooked by neighbours, the asylum exhibits altogether an agreeable appearance. In addition to these advantages, as the space occupied by the dormitories and court-yards is ample, whilst the latter are airy and spacious, visitors very soon become favourably impressed with the superior capabilities this establishment possesses, particularly, when compared with various more anciently constructed institutions. Unlike many public asylums in England, instead of being one large building, having occasionally a palatial elevation?which attribute, however pleasing it may appear to spectators from without, does not augment, nay, even sometimes diminishes the residents' comfort, who are thus sacrificed, as it were, to architectural display and ornament?Stephansfeld consists of a large central structure, containing the chapel and official residences; from whence various dormitories, having their respective court-yards, branch off on each