Third annual report of the state of the United Lunatic Asylum for the county and borough of Nottingham; and the forty-eighth of the original institution : year 1858.

  • Nottingham United Lunatic Asylum at Snenton
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Third annual report of the state of the United Lunatic Asylum for the county and borough of Nottingham; and the forty-eighth of the original institution : year 1858. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    12/28 (page 12)
    The readmissions have been 427, namely 227 males and 200 females. The averages are very favourable—- especially the death rate. It should be borne in mind that there has been no exclusion or selection of cases during the period; but those afflicted with paralysis, incurables, idiots, the aged and sick have been freely admitted. Nor has advantage been taken of the 53rd section of the Act of Parliament, which] permits the reservation of beds for curable cases. This Table throws light upon the question of the increase of lunatics, which has*of late years, on account of its social importance, engaged a share of public attention. On reference to the column for the year 1828, it will be seen that there remained 81 Patients in the Asylum, and that in 1858, one generation later, they had increased to 259, upwards of three times the former number. The disparity would have been still greater but for the dis¬ charge of all harmless chronic cases to the workhouses, of out-county Patients to their respective settlements, the restriction of admissions to this county, and the maintenance of several in licensed houses. The increase is mainly due to the gradual accumulation of lunatics in one establish¬ ment during a lengthened period, and to the increased longevity consequent upon their being under proper care. A reference to the next Table, representing the new cases, still shows a disproportionate increase between the lunatics and the general population. ABSTRACT, SHOWING- THE NUMBER OF ADMISSIONS BEFORE AND AFTER AN INTERVAL OF THIRTY YEARS. EE ADMISSIONS AND NONRESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY OMITTED. Private. Pauper. Total. 1824 9 19 28 1825 10 8 18 1826 14 15 29 1827 13 23 36 1828 9 22 31 55 87 142 Average. 11 17 28 1854 14 26 40 1855 16 35 51 1856 14 58 72 1857 5 63 68 1858 8 83 91 57 265 322 Average. 11 53 64