Annual report of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum for the insane for the year 1850.

  • Royal Edinburgh Asylum
Date:
1851
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum for the insane for the year 1850. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    has been carefully estimated, by adding to the cost of materials the estimated expence of journeyman’s wages for the articles made. In this way, it has been calculated that the value of work done in the Asylum exceeds £2000. The amount of work executed in the Shoemakers and Tailors’ workshops, has been so much more than sufficient to supply the pa¬ tients, that I have been compelled to make efforts to find some other market for the goods. An order for shoes, sent through the kind¬ ness of Dr Browne, was executed for the Southern Counties Asvlum. c» The officers, attendants, and servants have been permitted to get their shoes and clothing made in the house, at moderate charges. A number of carpet-bags, and a set of harness were made for sale. From these sources, a considerable profit has accrued from the labour of the patients, which might be greatly increased, could any of the public charities of the city be induced to contract with the Asylum for some of the articles made. In other departments of labour, the activity displayed has been equally great. A large proportion of the Attendants in the Wes¬ tern Department are tradesmen, each of whom has his staff of pa¬ tients, who work under his direction, and with his assistance. In this way, all the necessary repairs of the house are executed, and many improvements made, or new furnishings supplied. We have thus Carpenters, Masons, Plasterers, Painters, Plumbers, and Gas- fitters, Blacksmiths, Upholsterers, Printers, &c., constantly engaged. Among the principal works executed during the year, in addition to ordinary repairs, may be mentioned the completion of a coal-house commenced at the close of the previous year, and built in conformity with the general design of the Asylum; the erection of a large and, handsome wall and gateway to a new court-yard, lately opened ; the building of a large room, to be occupied as a billiard room and reading-room, for the use of the gentlemen of the Eastern Depart, ment. At this room, the carpenters and plumbers are at present busily occupied with the roof, and an ingenious worker in stucco is preparing, along with the plasterers, stucco ornaments for the ceil¬ ing. A large portion of the Eastern House has been tastefully and ela¬ borately painted by the patients, and having been in great part re¬ furnished, the comfort and appearances of the interior is very much improved.
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