Eighteenth report of the directors of the Dundee Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending 31st May, 1838.

  • Dundee Lunatic Asylum
Date:
[1838?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Eighteenth report of the directors of the Dundee Lunatic Asylum, for the year ending 31st May, 1838. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ditional baths are also required, and the expense of com¬ pleting the whole work on the east wing, making it equal to the west, cannot be estimated at a sum under L.6000. But there are other objects which the Directors hold to be of equal importance, and which ought not for a moment to be kept out of view—the liquidation of the debt, and the reduction of the lowest rates of board. The annual pay¬ ment for the parish of Dundee for board, amounts to L.520} and country parishes cannot, from their ordinary funds, maintain two or three patients in the House, and the hard measure of an assessment thus becomes necessary; which when once imposed cannot be withdrawn. Besides, per¬ sons of small incomes, unable to pay high rates of board, are forced upon the parish ; whereas, if the rates had been low, they would have escaped this reproach, and preserved their spirit of independence. Though this Institution, con¬ sidering its recent origin and limited means, be now far advanced in promoting the public benefit, and though it be in a state of increasing prosperity, the Directors are still anxious that it should be considered in the light of a pub¬ lic charity. For the more extensive the buildings the more widely will the benefit of the Institution be communicated j th e smaller the amount of debt the lower will be the rate ol board, and relief wall thus be brought nearer the most hap¬ less and destitute of our race. As the number of patients in the House is now greater than in any preceding year the revenue has amounted to the sum of L.3701 15s. 5d.; which exceeds that of the last year by L.340 16s. 7d.; and, after allowing L.424 15s. lOd, for decay of buildings and tear and wear of furniture, there is a clear surplus income of L.520. As the contracts for provisions were higher than those of the preceding year* and as an addition was made to the wages of the servants, this surplus must be considered as a decided proof of the prudent and judicious management of the affairs of the charity. In¬ deed there could be pointed out similar institutions where the number of patients is not much greater, where there is not only no debt but a considerable amount of capital, where the rates of board are higher, and where the annual expen-
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