The fourth annual report of the committee of management of the Metropolitan Imbecile Asylum, Caterham, Surrey : 1873-74.

  • Metropolitan District Asylum at Caterham
Date:
1874
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The fourth annual report of the committee of management of the Metropolitan Imbecile Asylum, Caterham, Surrey : 1873-74. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The prices of the various articles of provisions and necessaries have, in some instances, exceeded those of the previous year, while in others there has been a great reduction. Butter, which formerly was dear at 100s., is now 120s. and 130s. per cwt.; while coals have diminished from 34s. to 24s. per ton. Then the cost per head remains nearly the same as in previous years; but as we have been able to help ourselves by taking farm and garden produce for our consumption, a diminution of Id. daily is observable in the latter half of the year as compared with the former. The re-arrangement of the dietary has made scarcely any alteration in the articles consumed, as the substances used in the preparation of the food remain nearly the same. There has been no alteration in the kitchen since my last Report. The varied entertainments of the year have relieved the monotony consequent upon the isolated position of the Asylum. More perfected arrangements continue to be made as the estab¬ lishment gets older, and the various departments of the building are being continually adapted to the necessities of the day. The inmates, as far as they have been sent to do so, have worked well, and have therefore, to a certain extent, reduced the cost of their maintenance. It will be seen that in the tailor’s, shoemakers, and upholsterer’s shops, the produce of thei labour has been to the value of £600; and in the garden am farm also their work has begun to be really useful, inasmuch as being now accustomed to the employment, they are able to follow its routine. It is especially noticeable that those who have been most depended upon, have returned this confidence by attention and obedience.
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