Annual report of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum for the insane. 1883.

  • Royal Edinburgh Asylum
Date:
[1884]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report of the Royal Edinburgh Asylum for the insane. 1883. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the Register of Restraint and Seclusion since last visit are 55 ; these refer to the use of the shower bath for medical reasons in the treatment of 6 persons, and of seclusion in the treatment of 14. The number of patients who have escaped since last visit, and been absent till the following day, is 11. There are 3 entries in the Register of Accidents, but none of them refer to accidents of a serious character. During the present year considerable progress has been made in the further improvement of the Asylum. The reconstruction of the female wing of the West House, which was the only part of the Asylum which had not shared in the great improvements of recent years, is now being vigorously pushed forward; and it is believed that the results of the alterations now in progress will prove as satisfactory as those already obtained throughout the rest of the Asylum. The reconstruction of the north side of the female separate building has now been completed. According to the new arrangements it is divided into two parts, one of which accommodates the patients who work regularly in the laundry, and it is treated administratively as an adjunct to the laundry. The fittings and furniture of this section have all been renewed or improved; it is now well lighted, tastefully decorated, and well furnished, and seems to be altogether well suited to its purpose. The other part of the reconstructed building constitutes an adjunct to the hospital, which forms the south half of the female separate building. The object of having this adjunct in connection with, though separated from, the hospital, is to make the hospital staff and appliances available for the treatment of a class of cases which it would be injudicious to place in im¬ mediate association with patients requiring complete tranquillity. This adjunct contains the old padded room, which has been pro¬ vided with improved means of heating, lighting, and ventilating. It also contains six single rooms heated, lighted, and ventilated in a similar way, as well as a new lavatory, bathroom, and water-closet. Another improvement recently carried out in con¬ nection with the West House is the conversion of the old south male airing court into an excellent bowling green. In the East House a certain amount of repainting and revar¬ nishing is almost continually in progress. This is required to keep up the appearance of freshness and cheerfulness which is essential to good Asylum accommodation. During the present year, however, such repairs have received special attention. The central staircase has been repainted and redecorated throughout, and the whole of the rest of the House has been revarnished. New carpets have also been supplied in several of the rooms and galleries. A very successful improvement has been made in
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