Thirty-ninth annual report of the resident physician of the Belfast District Hospital for the Insane of the counties of Antrim and Down, and the county of the town of Carrickfergus : from 1st April, 1868, to 31st March, 1869.

  • Belfast District Hospital for the Insane
Date:
1869
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thirty-ninth annual report of the resident physician of the Belfast District Hospital for the Insane of the counties of Antrim and Down, and the county of the town of Carrickfergus : from 1st April, 1868, to 31st March, 1869. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “The patients at present in this institution I find to be 394—221 males, 173 females—an excess in the aggregate of fully 70 beyond the legitimate accommodation which the house affords ; still I am happy to observe that the sanitary state of the inmates is particularly good; the dormitories and day-rooms I regard as being very much overcrowded. The opening of the Down Asylum, and which I anticipate before May next, will materially, by the removal to it of 190 patients, relieve the existing pressure. The establishment generally is in a very satisfactory condition, clean, orderly, and of a healthful temperature, at the same time well ventilated. I have carefully examined the proposed places and sites for domestic improvements in the way of baths, lavatories, scul¬ leries, &c., and consulted with Dr. Stewart, who will confer with the local Architect in reference to them. I regret the resolution of the Governors in regard to a Dining-hall, as from experience I am convinced there is no arrangement more calculated to add to the comfort of the inmates, and to the efficient and cleanly working of the house. The meals thereby are commodiously served and more comfortably and economically, the refectory being in juxtaposition to the kitchen, thus obviating the great inconvenience of carrying food three times a day through corridors to day-rooms, probably some of them over a hundred and thirty yards from it. Even in Union Workhouses the prac¬ tice is universally carried out, one advantage being a prompt and facile supervision by the officers. The cost would not, I apprehend, exceed £800 in full; I therefore would again venture to bring the subject under the Governors’ notice, so that under one Governmental loan all requisite improvements may be effected. “ The books are regularly kept, and the external officers duly attend. “ 11th February, 1869. “J. NUGENT. “ On my inspection of the Belfast District Asylum this day, I find it presenting its usual appearance of good order and cleanliness. The several corridors, day-rooms, and dormitories are kept with great care, being comfortable and well ventilated. “ The patients are quiet and orderly, none being in seclusion or under restraint, and a large number is fully occupied with work of some kind or other. The men are in some cases employed on the farm, others in mechanical work—viz., at the loom, repairing clothes, &c.—the females in spinning and knitting, sewing, &c. “ The sanitary state of the house is particularly satisfactory. I also inspected the provisions, the meat is of most excellent quality, as also the other articles of food. “ (Signed) “ GEO. W. HATCHELL. “ January 4th, 1869.” “ I this day inspected the Belfast District Asylum and have to report, as hitherto, in the most favourable terms of its general condition, in fact nothing can be more satisfactory than its organization, considering especially the overcrowded state of the house, which at this date has so many as 64 in excess of its proper accommodation. “ 12th March, 1869.”
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