The twentieth annual report of the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh : for the year 1868.

  • North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum
Date:
[1869]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The twentieth annual report of the North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh : for the year 1868. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    itself, instead of, as heretofore, contracting bills for bread and beer. No plans for these have been submitted to Whitehall. Adverting to matters that were the subject of remark or suggestion at the last visit, we find that the so-called female recreation-room remains, yet unimproved, though the amendment of it (very much required) is still contemplated ; that the tiled corridors are as yet uncovered, though we learn to-day that cocoa-nut matting, of which there is a sufficiency for the purpose already in the Asylum, will now be used ; that the num¬ ber of straw beds has been further and considerably reduced; that the area walls darkening the kitchen and offices have been lowered one-half; and that the partitions recommended in the general bath-rooms have been introduced with excellent effect in both, where invariably also fresh water is used for every patient. It was further very satisfactory to us to observe to-day, three nurses in place of two in both No. 4 and No. 6 female wards; and to learn, that for the soup dinners objected to at the last visit, one of hash or lob-scouse is now substituted, which is much more popular with the patients. We omitted to mention, in speaking of the late structural additions, that a new mortuary or dead house, quite detached from the Asylum, has been very recently erected in the grounds. The amusements and provision for walks beyond the Asylum continue to be fairly sufficient; assurance being given us also, that some sugges¬ tions made by us to-day for using, with increased advantage in respect <» of suitable out-door games, both the enlarged airing courts will have attention. The subject is the more important from the many female patients here unable to employ themselves otherwise; and from the fact that the instances of seclusion recorded appear rather to increase than diminish. Since the last visit there have been 93 instances applied to 21 patients; and in proportion to the number of those with troublesome habits, should be the extent and variety of provision in the way of means for entertaining, amusing, or interesting them in some way. The return of last night’s wet and dirty beds, showing six among the men and four among the women, is evidence of careful night-watching, and of the advantage of disusing straw beds.
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