Memoranda regarding te Royal Lunatic Asylum, Infirmary, and Dispensary of Montrose : with observations on some other institutions of a like nature, and an appendix of documents, partly relating to restraint in the treatment of insanity / prepared, at request of the managers, by Richard Poole.

Date:: 1841

Credit: Memoranda regarding te Royal Lunatic Asylum, Infirmary, and Dispensary of Montrose : with observations on some other institutions of a like nature, and an appendix of documents, partly relating to restraint in the treatment of insanity / prepared, at request of the managers, by Richard Poole. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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$tablets, as is common in other public Institutions, it would be more agreeable to me.”* There needs no additional evidence as to the primary and main object which this Lady and her associates had in view. But though, perhaps, not likewise intended at first, if even seriously contemplated, by the Managers, and though, unquestionably, the departments are by no means essentially allied, in point of fact both the Dispensary and Infirmary must be reckoned coeval with, and throughout their existence dependent on, the Lunatic Asylum. The original Subscription Paper, it is true, did not allude to the former; while it specified at least one element of the latter —regarded, be it noticed, as a supplementary and condi- tional appendage : “ We, subscribers,” says the document, “ considering the deplorable situation of many Lunatics in the town of Montrose, and the good consequences that might result from having them properly lodged and taken care of, do hereby oblige ourselves to pay,” &c. &c. “to be applied towards erecting a House and Garden, in the Links of Montrose, for the accommodation of persons disordered in mind. It is further proposed to add to this design a Ward for the accommodation of the Sick Poor, in case the money will allow of it”\ But, notwithstanding the difference in this respect, after the edifice itself, as agreed on, had been completed, and previously to the reception of either Lunatics or Sick Poor, the Managers, at a meeting on 3d December 1781, recommended a committee “to * The Managers readily complied ; and the Memorial, to be seen on entering the House, is in the following words: “ Built by Subscription, A.D. MDCCLIXXI. and Incorporated by Royal Charter, A.D. MDCCCXI. To the benevolent and indefatigable exertions of Mrs. Susan Carnegie of Pitarrow, and Alexr. Christie, Esq. Chief Magistrate of Montrose, THIS ASYLUM, FOR AFFLICTED HUMANITY, The first of the kind in Scotland, Owes its existence. This Marble was erected, by order of the Managers, A.D. MDCCCXVI.” t This paper, of date March 1779, is quoted in a Report (printed) by Messrs. Jameson and Willis, 26th May 1832—page 3. At the first meeting thereafter, 5th July 1779, no less than fifty-one persons were present as Subscribers—of whom, it is believed, only one survives in 1839—namely, Mr. John Brand. —[Shortly after the above note was written, Mr. Brand also finished his career — namely on the 20th June—aged about ninety.]$