| By Bob Weaver
The Lunatic Asylum West of the Allegheny was officially named the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane upon completion.
It was typical of the many that were established throughout the country. The name was changed to Weston State Hospital in
1913. The huge facility was closed a few years ago, and now stands as a tourist destination.
A list
of "reasons for admission" to state hospitals from the first log book, unfortunately speaks about what was considered to be mental illness in
the 19th century.
REASONS FOR ADMISSION -
OCTOBER 22, 1864 to DECEMBER 12, 1889 (actual spelling used):
GRIEF; CONSTITUTIONAL; ASTHMA; DOMESTIC TROUBLE; THE WAR; SUN STROKE;
MASTURBATION FOR 30 YEARS;
TROUBLE; DISSIPATION OF NERVES; FEVER & NERVED.
INTERFERANCE; INTEMPERANCE;
RELIGIOUS EXCITEMENT.
AMENORRHEA; BUSINESS NERVES; FEVER; JEALOUSY; EXPOSURE IN ARMY; SELF ABUSE;
VENERIAL EXCESSES; PUERPERAL.
SHOOTING OF DAUGHTER; PARENTS WERE COUSINS; EXPOSURE & HEREDITARY; UTERINE
DERANGEMENT; DEATH OF SONS
IN THE WAR.
IMPRISONMENT; POLITICAL EXCITEMENT; FEVER & LOSS OF LAW SUIT; GASTRITIS; DESERTION BY
HUSBAND;
SUPRESSION OF MENSES; DECOYED INTO THE ARMY.
KICKED IN THE HEAD BY A HORSE;
SUPERSTITION; BITE OF A RATTLE
SNAKE; DOG BITE; SNUFF; FEEBLENESS OF INTELLECT; RUMOR OF HUSBAND'S MURDER OR
DESERTION; MENTAL
EXCITEMENT.
DISAPPOINTMENT; JEALOUSY & RELIGION; SEDUCTION & DISSAPPOINTMENT; SEVERE LABOR;
DISAPPOINTED
LOVE; FITS & DESERTION OF HUSBAND; SUPRESSED MASTURBATION; DERANGED
MASTURBATION.
HARD STUDY; DROPSY;
EFFUSION ON THE BRAIN; FALSE CONFINEMENT; SEXUAL ABUSE AND STIMULANTS; EXCITEMENT
AS OFFICER; FALL FROM
HORSE; DISAPPOINTED AFFECTION.
COLD; INDIGESTION; BRAIN FEVER; CARBONIC ACID GAS; SEXUAL DERANGEMENT; FELL
FROM HORSE; EXPOSURE IN ARMY; RELIGIOUS ENTHUSIASM; DISSOLUTE HABITS; LOSS OF ARM;
ILL TREATMENT BY
HUSBAND; SCARLATINA.
SMALLPOX; HEREDITARY PREDISPOSITION; EPILEPTIC FITS; SOFTENING
OF THE BRAIN;
MENSTRUAL DERANGED; MASTURBATION & SYPHILLIS; GATHERING IN THE HEAD; BAD
COMPANY; SUNSTROKE.
CARBUNCLE; OVER HEAT; BAD HABITS & POLITICAL EXCITEMENT; DOMESTIC AFFLICTION;
PECUNIARY LOSSES: WORMS;
CONGETION OF BRAIN; REMORSE; MILK FEVER; OPIUM HABIT; CRIME.
NOVEL READING;
EGOTISM; SALVATION ARMY;
IMAGINARY FEMALE TROUBLE; DIPTHERIA; THE WAR; EXPOSURE & QUACKERY; SPINAL
IRRITATION; SNUFF EATING FOR
TWO YEARS; PERIODICAL FITS; TABACCO & MASTURBATION: HYSTERIA; FEMALE DISEASE;
GUNSHOT WOUND.
LIVER AND
SOCIAL DISEASE; SEDUCTION; KICK OF HORSE; VICIOUS VICES IN EARLY LIFE; BLOODY FLUX;
POLITICS; WOMEN; DOUBY
ABOUT MOTHER'S ANCESTORS; NYMPHOMANIA; MORAL SANITY; GREEDINESS.
EXCESSIVE
SEXUAL ABUSE; FIGHTING FIRE;
BAD WHISKEY; WOMEN TROUBLE; OVER ACTION ON THE MIND; EXPLOSION OF SHELL NEARBY;
MARRIAGE OF SON;
MEDICINE TO PREVENT CONCEPTION; OVER STUDY OF RELIGION; IMMORAL LIFE; TIME OF LIFE;
YOUNG LADY & FEAR;
CEREBRAL SOFTENING; LAZINESS; OVER TAXING MENTAL POWERS.
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