History, Winnebago County, Wisconsin: Its cities, towns, resources, people

              10(> HISTOEY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
ment of the pleasure grounds, the productions of the farm, the growing of trees, the stock and 2,000 fowl and all the economics possible. Some one sent him from Boston a report of a painting of a famous Paris doctor who several decades since caused the shackles to be struck from the insane under his care. Since then great changes have been made in the care of the insane and Dr. Gordon has made many advances. There is much necessary sys¬ tem in the care of so many under one roof, yet it is possible to individualize each case and give each their proper care. That Dr. Gordon has reduced the death rate of the institution 50 per cent is the best evidence of a watchful care. He has removed the "Keep off the grass" signs, laid out beautiful flower beds, made old cinder heaps into flower beds, turned surface ditches into lawns, made the back yard as handsome as the front, planted strawberries and berry bushes so that all the patients have their rich fresh fruit, when formerly only the officers had it. He has laid out a mile long walk and lined it with trees by meadow and lake, begun a menagerie where tlie pretty deer, badger and" fox vie with the monkeys for attraction. All this beauty and amuse¬ ment with the out of doors is for the nature healing of the body and the restoration of the mind follows. The outdoors at stated hours has been changed from "daylight to dark." All the fresh air possible as it sweeps in pure and sweet from the broad surface of Winnebago lake. One night several years ago the heat in the great buihling was intolerable. He could not sleep and made the rounds of the wards to learn the condition of his sick people. They were locked up in their little rooms off the wards with, all their filth and odor and misery. The corridors were dark. No light could be had for fear of fire. Some of them in want of water had pounded great dents in their doors. It was a sure enough madhouse, and the conditions were bad enough to make a well person go mad. He made up his mind something must be done to change this wicked method of all-night imprisonment. He had the gas, which was the only liglit at that time, arranged outside the window so it would stream down the hall from a reflector; then they arranged lavatories on each corridor and had a tank of water ready at hand for drinking. The doors were ordered left unlocked. This humane arrangement it was feared might result in someone being injured by these irresponsible subjects; but no such results have followed. On the doors in some of these cham¬ ber cells can still be seen tlie hacks, mars and dents made by the