The annual report of the Dorset County Lunatic Asylum, Forston, for the year 1855.

  • Dorset County Lunatic Asylum (Forston, England)
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The annual report of the Dorset County Lunatic Asylum, Forston, for the year 1855. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tion of tlie u Lunatic Asylums Act,’’ to be placed under the care of their friends. It would appear that this section is quite misinterpreted by some, who think they can remove a patient when they choose. An application was made a short time since, when the letter stated a it was their inten¬ tion to remove A. B. and C. D. forthwith,” neither of these patients being in a fit state for removal. The Committee are aware that it has always been the practice here to allow the parish authorities to see their patients whenever they wish; but it appears, that although very desirable they should know fully of their welfare, &c., this misconception has arisen from their merely having short and hurried con¬ versations, in which, in many instances, they can detect nothing wrong * and if, in addition, they know they are regularly at work, they at once conclude that recovery must have taken place. A report of these imaginary facts are. made, and an application for their discharge is the consequence. The 79th section of the above Act is likely to be of great service, and several cases have been discharged u on trial” for short periods, thus enabling the patient to prove whether or not he is fit to be discharged altogether. The great difficulty experienced hitherto in these cases, is the u obtaining the necessary medical certificate as to the Patient’s state of mind,” without which he cannot be finally discharged. Weekly allowances have been made, in accordance with the above section, in cases where it was deemed necessary; but it cannot be too earnestly impressed on the Guardians of the Poor, the absolute necessity of providing liberally for those patients just removed from an asylum; and, more¬ over, it will prove ultimately economy on their part. Too frequently it happens when a patient is discharged and gets home, he finds little or nothing to welcome him, and
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