Report of the Committee of Visitors, the Medical Superintendent, and other papers relating to the asylum : printed by order of the Court of Quarter Session, 31st December 1867 / Essex Lunatic Asylum.

  • Essex Lunatic Asylum
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee of Visitors, the Medical Superintendent, and other papers relating to the asylum : printed by order of the Court of Quarter Session, 31st December 1867 / Essex Lunatic Asylum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    18 in the Female division were attributed to paralysis or general paralysis, but in other respects the causes of death call for no particular notice. No suicide or fatal accident has occured. Of the Patients who were discharged 82 were reported as recovered. “With a few exceptions, on the Women’s side, the Patients were quiet and orderly, and generally in a satis¬ factory state. We noticed that an unusually large propor¬ tion of the inmates were old and helpless, or demented and paralytic ; and with such cases we are aware that it is most difficult to establish any system of occupation or amuse¬ ment. We think, however, that, by perservering efforts on the part of the Attendants, a larger proportion might be induced to employ themselves, and that, among other simple occupations, mat making and basket making might be introduced. “ The numbers reported to be employed are 188 in the Male and 180 in the Female division. Of the men 65 work on the land. “ Divine service is performed as usual, and the attendance averages 215 on Sunday and 94 on week days. The arrangements for exercise and recreation are the same as before reported. We found the Wards clean and in good order, and the bedding throughout in the best condition. The Cottages presented the same air of comfort and cheer¬ fulness as usual, and the Grounds and Airing Courts were well kept. “ Some of the Galleries will shortly be re-papered, and we have suggested that there should be more blinds in the dormitories. We have before alluded to the large propor¬ tion of feeble and paralytic cases in this Asylum, but the sanitary state of the inmates is now good, and we did not find more than four or five of each sex in bed. Nineteen men, and the same number of women, are registered as being under medical treatment.
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