State of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum (instituted November 4, 1819) : [twentieth report].

  • Lincoln Lunatic Asylum (Lincoln, England)
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: State of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum (instituted November 4, 1819) : [twentieth report]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    28/54 (page 28)
    [Card of Instructions, &c., continued.] Visits of Friends. The means of cure in Insanity are generally found to depend on the removal of the Patient to a totally new scene, and from Jcnown persons and known objects, with quiet exercise in the open air in mild weather, regular habits, and strict attention to the general health. On the other hand, the occasional visit of a person to whom the Patient has been much attached, has been found ( notwithstanding some instances to the contrary j to produce a strikingly good effect, where no peculiar Delusion of the Patient is con¬ nected with the party visiting. Such visits, about once or twice in a quarter, are therefore encouraged, after a proper interval from the time of entering. Rules. The Relatives of Patients, or the Friends who have sent them, or persons authorized by them, shall be requested to see and converse with such Patients once in six weeks, or oftener with the approbation of the Physician or House-Surgeon. Where the delusion of a Patient is connected with any Relative or Friend, or where other sufficient reason occurs, the House-Surgeon may refuse the access of any such Visitant; hut, on every occasion of refusal, he shall state the special reasons thereof fully in his Journal, to he laid before the Weekly Visitor and the Physician at their next visit, and also before the next Board ; and he shall allow the Relatives or Friends to see such Patients without being seen, so as to enable their appearance, cleanliness, and condition, to be readily ascertained. The Friends shall be cautioned not to converse on the subject of the delusion, to speak principally in reply only, and not to stay when their presence has ceased to engage the attention and interest of the Patient. The Friends, on admission to Patients, shall not be prevented from holding private conversation with them, to hear any real or delusive state¬ ment of grievances ; and, if not satisfied with the explanation of the House-Surgeon or Matron, they shall make any written statement to the Board, through the Secretary.—No Male Visitant shall on any pretence be left alone with a Female Patient, except such Visitant be the Father, Brother, or Son. Visitants shall withdraw immediately on the request of the House- Surgeon, and shall not give anything whatsoever to the Patient without the House-Surgeon’s knowledge, nor offer any present to any one on pain of being refused admittance in future. CD Pule against Gratuities. No Officer or person whatsoever employed by this Institution, shall give to or receive from any Tradesman, Servant, Patient, Stranger, or other person whatsoever, any fee, reward, gratuity, or present directly or indirectly, for any thing done or to be done on account of the Asylum, on pain of expulsion.