Notes of a recent visit to several provincial asylums for the insane in France / by John Webster.

Date:
[1851]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes of a recent visit to several provincial asylums for the insane in France / by John Webster. 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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    world, her previous ncqiiaintdiice, or the places she had formerly visited, was evident from our conversation ; and amongst other suhjects we talked of, and to wliich I was able to reply to her inquiries, one had reference to a distinguished physician, a friend of my own, now resident in Loudon, of whom she spoke in complimentary language, having been attended by that gentleman when indisposed in the English metropolis. But similar examples to the above are even now not uncommon in France ; and there is no class of persons who are so zealously disposed to dedicate their time and attentions to alleviate the miseries and bodily suli'erings of tlieir fellow-creatures, as many of these sisters of charity, who are often attached to the hospitals of this country. St. Meen's Asylum, near Rennes. This lunatic institution is situated near the ancient capital of Brittany, upon a rising ground, about half a league from the city of Bennes. It possesses a good situation, apparently healthy, from its natural advantages; has a fine prospect of the neighbour- iug country, and is not overlooked by contiguous buildings. The house is, however, old, particularly oue part; and this portion of the building, not having been con- structed for an insane asylum, is not at all adapted for that purpose; indeed, one of the courts in the more modern quarter has been closed, because the female patients, who formerly there took out-of-door exercise, being overlooked by the male inmates occupying the gallery above, the two sexes could thus converse together, which proved most improper and injurious. Even the best part of this structure looks more like a prison than a lunatic institution, having strong iron biurs in the windows; and alto- gether it is not a proper receptacle for the insane, which seems also to be the opinion of some of the managing authorities; whilst discussions had, I understood, actually taken place respecting the suppression of this establishment, and the removal of the patients elsewhere. From this and other causes, very little money was last year expended in repairs or improvements ; and as differences of opinion prevailed, according to report, betwixt the local and central government in reference to its management, these circum- stances only render the efforts made by tlie ofBciols in the establishment, towards improving the well-being of the patients, more meritorious. At present no resident physician is attached to St. Meen's, although there was one formerly. Since his removal by the Minister of the Interior to another asylum, the institution is only visited every other day by Dr. Pechot, an eminent physician, in general practice at Rennes, appointed temporarily for that purpose, from his high quali- fications and reputation. Two internes, however, reside in the house, but as both can never be absent at the same time, medical assistance is always at hand; and if any case of emergency occurs, the visiting physician is immediately sent for. Should he be otherwise engaged, or out of the way at the time, then oue of the professors of the medical school is called in to see the case, and give directions. Farther, in order that no delay may ever occur under such circumstances, a horse and carriage is always kept ready to bring the physician or deputy to St. Meen's; whilst on the days Dr. Pechot does not visit the asylum, an interne goes round the wards, sees all the patients, and prescribes whatever he thinks necessary. The gardens of the asylum are extensive, and seem productive ; and recently, there was also a farm attached to the institution, where the male lunatics were often employed ; but this has been let to a tenant, whereby the agricultural occupations by patients has been interrupted, which is much to be regretted; however, hopes are entertained that the farm will be again resumed. During the year 1849, the following vfas the movement of the insane patients at St. Meen's Asylum :— Admitted Males, 47 Females, 44 Total, 91. Discharged cured... Males, 23 Females, If) Total, 37. Died Males, 24 Females, 25 Total, 49. Of the 40 deaths now reported, it is necessary to mention, that 2] were caused by cholera, 10 of whom were men, and 11 women. Again, with reference to the total number of lunatics in the institution on the day I visited the wards, they consisted of 14:1 men and lOM women; making an aggregate population of 311 lunatics then under treatment. This Asylum seemed more tranquil than others 1 had visited in France during previous years; especially on the female side of the house, the appearances in this respect being somewhat similar to an English institution for lunatics, and certainly