Report by the managers of the Royal Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum for the year 1842, presented to the annual general meeting, held on Monday, 30th January, 1843.

  • Royal Edinburgh Asylum.
Date:
[1843?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report by the managers of the Royal Edinburgh Lunatic Asylum for the year 1842, presented to the annual general meeting, held on Monday, 30th January, 1843. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    most decided; 60 that, irrespective of the other advantages alluded to, it may be confidently pronounced a most desirable arrangement for the inmates themselves. The cost of the new buildings has been greater than was at first contemplated, owing partly to successive extensions of the original contracts, and partly to the desire which was felt of adopting every modern improvement, in regard to ventilation and other internal arrangements. However, in future additions, the expe¬ rience which has now been gained, will be made available for simplifying still more some of the details, and therefore the expense of completing the remaining portions of the new institu¬ tion, will be proportionably less than that of the parts already finished. But if the outlay has been great, the receipts have been so like¬ wise ; for although there still remains a deficiency in the funds of about L.3900, (which was voluntarily incurred, rather than leave the buildings imperfect,) the contributions obtained during the last two years far exceed what the Managers ventured to hope for when they commenced their undertaking. It will be seen from the Treasurer’s Statement, that above L.13,000 have been contributed in whole, besides L.1000 more derived from legacies falling in during the period. No doubt, a large portion of that amount has been given in order to acquire rights of presentation; but as these truly represent a corresponding interest in the buildings, (the necessary board being still charged for those presented,) that cir¬ cumstance only affords an additional proof that the scheme of the Managers has elicited general approbation, and that the reliance which they placed on public support, has been met by an equal degree of public confidence. It will be their anxious endeavour to retain this confidence, by observing all practicable economy in the Institution, and by carry- ig out with vigour the plans they have formed for promoting the comfort and cure of those for whom it is designed. The rate of board for the poor has been fixed as low as circumstances seemed to admit of, and, compared with the advantages which they possess, must be reckoned extremely moderate; but if it is found, after the existing deficiency shall have been wiped off, and the establishment brought fully into operation, that it can be farther reduced, the public may rely on this being done. These objects will be facilitated (and much to the advantage of