The Royal Albert Asylum, Lancaster : a training institution for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland thirty-sixth annual report.

Royal Albert Asylum (Lancaster, England)

Date:: 1900

Credit: The Royal Albert Asylum, Lancaster : a training institution for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland thirty-sixth annual report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

13/110 page 11

$Millard (of the Eastern Counties’ Asylum at Colchester), in their work on the “ Classifica¬ tion, Training, and Education of Idiots,’’thus describe the success of specific treatment:— “ Weak physical powers have been strengthened, uncleanly habits have been cured, the spiteful and irritable have become calm, the dependent self-depending; the idle have been rendered useful, the untutored have learned to read, write, count, and draw ; the ability to earn much towards their own livelihood has been acquired by some, while in a few instances the capacity for earning sufficient for a maintenance and laying it out for themselves has been gained ; and the moral and religious feelings have been aroused and fostered, so that excellent characters have been produced, and deeds of simple kindness have been performed by those who were once selfish, sensual, and depraved.’’ The late Dr. Seguin, the distinguished physician, who may be regarded as the pioneer in this noble work, said, after thirty years’ practical experience in the education and training of Idiots :—“ Idiots have been improved, educated, and even cured ; not one in a thousand has been entirely refractory to treatment; not one in a hundred who has not been made more happy and healthy ; more than thirty per cent, have been taught to conform to social and moral law, and rendered capable of order, of good feeling, and of working like the third of a man ; more than 40 per cent, have become capable of the ordinary transactions of life, under friendly control, of understanding moral and social abstractions, of working like two-thirds of a man ; and twenty-five to thirty per cent, come nearer and nearer the standard of manhood, till some of them will defy the scru¬ tiny of good judges when compared with ordinary young men and women.” The Royal Albert Asylum is situated about a mile from Lancaster; and the Estate upon which it is erected consists of about 185 acres of excellent land in a charm¬ ing and salubrious situation, commanding fine views of Morecambe Bay and the Lake Mountains. Accommodation has been provided for 640 inmates, and the arrangements comprise every convenience for the specific treatment of idiots and imbeciles. The system of Training pursued in the Asylum is designed to secure, by special means, the physical, mental, and moral improvement of the patients. It includes gymnastic training, school education of a suitable kind, and instruction in a simple handicraft or other useful occupation. The Institution is under the medical care of a Resident Medical Officer and an Assistant Medical Officer. Epileptic, Paralytic, and Insane Persons are not eligible for admission; nor those who are incurably Hydrocephalic. Idiocy which is complicated with blindness or deaf¬ ness, is also a disqualification. The following are some of the principal Rules and Regulations :— Patients.—Two classes of Patients, of both sexes, are admitted into the Asylum 1. Free patients, between the ages of Six and Fifteen, whose friends are proved to be unable to meet the lowest payment. They are elected by the votes of the Subscribers, and received for Seven years, subject to the Rules and Regulations of the Asylum. 2. Paying patients admitted by the Central Committee, without election, and at any time. The charges vary according to the requirements and cir¬ cumstances of the friends of applicants. Applications for Admission.—Applications must be addressed to the Principal and Secretary, from whom all necessary information may be obtained. The Central Committee will institute inquiries to ascertain if there be a reasonable probability that the Candidates will be benefited by the system adopted in the Asylum, and decide the terms on which they ought to be admitted. Previously to the election, a list of approved applicants from each County will be sent to the Subscribers entitled to vote for the admission of patients. Mode of Electing Patients.—In order to meet the various opinions entertained as to the proper mode of electing patients, Subscribers have the option of voting directly by means of voting papers ; or of transferring their votes to their respective Local or County Committees. Canvassing for Votes is pro¬ hibited.$