Second annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1839.

  • Suffolk Lunatic Asylum
Date:
1840
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1839. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the advantages counter-balance the risk, and employment will continue to be promoted. At present, we have about twenty-five men, and thirty-five women, employed in various ways. Upon treatment, one can only generalize, and urge a uniform system of kindness by every means and in everyway. Dress, is a point in this respect not sufficiently considered, particu¬ larly with the women, and the plan of having one regular Asylum garb is decidedly objection¬ able. Very much may be done by studying the habits and pleasing the fancy; and though it may appear a trifling subject, it is occasionally the turning point towards a favourable change. A woman here, a few months back, lost a Rela¬ tive; and giving her a black gown in the place of another, produced not only a good feeling in her mind, but soothed the irritation she felt at what she deemed the unnecessary separation from her friends. It is hoped that the general testimony of those best acquainted with all the internal arrange¬ ments of this house, will be given to the entire working out the principle, by the practice, of NO¬ RESTRAINT with our patients. All personal confinement is invariably removed on the en¬ trance at the gate, and it is very rarely indeed had recourse to again even for an hour. Whenever it
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