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While the provision thus made for the wants of the idiots of teachable age and condition is adequate for the present, the board of trustees of this institution feel constrained to again call the attention of the Legislature to the need that exists for the relief of those now burdened with the care of custodial cases. By custodial cases are meant such idiots as are too old or of too low a grade to be improved by instruction. With a very moderate expense, it would seem as if they might be cared for in connection with the asylum for chronic insane, at Ovid.

In conclusion, it may be said, that to the members of the board who have had an opportunity of knowing what this asylum has done, during the last twenty-one years, in ameliorating the condition of the idiots of the State, and the relief to friends thus afforded, the moneys appropriated by the Legislature, from time to time for its support, seems to them to have been well bestowed, and they can therefore cordially commend it to the further good-will and benefactions of the representatives of the people.

All of which is respectfully submitted by the undersigned members of the board.

JAMES H. TITUS,
HENRY N. POHLMAN,
FRANKLIN TOWNSEND,
LAKE I. TEFFT,
LYMAN CLARY,
E. W. LEAVENWORTH,
ALLEN MUNROE,
GEO. F. COMSTOCK,
Trustees.
JOHN A. DIX, Governor,
NELSON K. HOPKINS, Compt'r,
JNO. C. ROBINSON, Lieut.- Gov.,
Trustees ex officio.

SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT.

To the Trustees of the N. Y. Asylum for Idiots:

GENTLEMEN. -- I herewith submit a report of the affairs of the institution for the year ending October 1st, 1872.

The whole number of pupils connected with the asylum during that period was 164. The average daily number of pupils was 149.

Of the whole list 132 were supported entirely from the State appropriation. The remainder were paying pupils, either in full or in part of the actual cost of their maintenance.

The State pupils are admitted free of charge on an application signed by the parents or next friend; this is indorsed by two other parties acquainted with the applicant and the circumstances of the case, who make an affidavit before the county judge, whose certificate is then attached to the application.

The actual cost for board and instruction of each of the average number in attendance was a trifle more than $200 a year.

Four deaths among the pupils occurred during the year; an unusual number in the experience of the asylum. One of these, a confirmed epileptic, died instantly in a fit; two died of consumption, after a lingering sickness; the fourth from diphtheria.

The general health of the pupils has been good. The present number of pupils is 163. In addition to these there are some seven or eight new pupils, whose presence is daily expected. With the appropriation made by the last Legislature, the probable number for the coming year will be about 185, including the usual proportion of paying pupils.

When this asylum was founded by legislative enactment, it was to meet a public want of a wide nature. The extent of the want, and the obligation of the State to step in to supply it, could be then and can now only be fully understood by considering the variety of conditions that exist under the general name of idiocy, and the social circumstances to which it is related in various ways.

Generically, it may be said that the term idiot includes all those cases where, from defect or infirmity in the nervous system, there is a want of natural and harmonious development of the mental and moral powers of a human being, under the customary laws and circumstances of human growth and culture.

The inherent physical cause and the accompanying mental deficiency may be slight or extreme. It may affect every function, every faculty and every power; or it may only blunt the sensibilities, weaken the intellect and slightly impair the force of will.

In its social aspects it presents an equal variety. It may occur in the homes of the affluent, in the families of the middle class, or the indigent, and finally is often found in our pauper establishments. Everywhere it is a cause of discomfort, anxiety and a frequent source of mortification; in many instances a burden hard to be borne by rich as well as poor. And rarely can the proper means and appliances be supplied for its mitigation, except in institutions designed expressly for the purpose.

Not to attempt to present any very definite classification of idiots to enforce these opinions, it may be briefly said that, viewed as subjects of the State's providence, there are several broad classes of idiots whose condition may be referred to in this connection.

So far as the State's provision for the wants of the class is concerned, the cases occurring in wealthy families may be disregarded. Such can be cared for in private establishments for, in that respect, it is fair to presume that the supply will equal the demand for institutions of that character.

There is then, first to be mentioned, a class of idiots, born as they are, or made so by the diseases of infancy; so defective or diseased in physical organization, and mentally and morally so deficient, as to be absolutely dependent upon others for the supply of their most simple wants; infants in everything but age and physical stature. By the very nature of their condition they are, as they grow up to man's estate, not only non-producers themselves, but, by the burden and trouble of their care-taking, diminishing the comfort and productive power of those who from affection or a sense of duty are constrained to minister or try to minister to their wants. The degree of the burden and discomfort is measured only by the degree of incapacity, the depravation of the habits or the viciousness of the particular case. In some cases, with the knowledge of those connected with the asylum, the burden has been sufficient to pauperize a whole family.