The Eastern Counties' Asylum for Idiots, Imbeciles and the Feeble-Minded compared with some similar institutions elsewhere : with notes upon the question of tuberculosis / by Edgar A. Hunt, honorary consulting surgeon to the institution.

  • Hunt, Edgar A.
Date:
1903
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Eastern Counties' Asylum for Idiots, Imbeciles and the Feeble-Minded compared with some similar institutions elsewhere : with notes upon the question of tuberculosis / by Edgar A. Hunt, honorary consulting surgeon to the institution. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    consumptive patient being closely attended upon by healthy persons under suitable circumstances.” His general precautions are : “ I. Wakds to be thoroughly ventilated at all times. 2. Have the patients out of doors as much as ever possible. 3. The wards and sanitary arrangements, especially where the dirty clothes are temporarily stored, are to be kept scrupulously clean. 4. Where there is dust there is danger. Do not chase dust about or stir it up. Use damp dusters and send them daily to the laundry, or else use damp sawdust, which is to be burnt at once. 5. The Commode and Spit-pots used by consumptive patients to be kept scrupulouslv clean.” Ox OUR Hound of Ixsrrction, we at once noticed the line wide corridors, all comfortably warmed and all provided with hanging baskets of “ Wandering jew,” making balls of re¬ freshing green. dhe exits at the end of the corridors are provided with tw^o doors When the outer one is to be kept open for ventilation purposes there is an inner lattice door which can be kept locked, but through which the Hood of fresh air can come in. Ox OUR WWY OUT W^E FIRST INSPECTED AN INGENIOUS “ BoOT Drier,” designed by Dr. Elkins. Wet and damp boots are thoroughly dried in these, and the patients never keep them on wdien they come indoors. We passed THROUGH SOME OF THE WORKSHOPS ill wllicll w-e found the temperature was 55^. It is to denoted that the day was rather a colder one—colder than it had been on the previous three days of our tour. We ENTERED THE AiRiNG CouRT for the Incipient Phthisical Cases and found that the patients were all out of doors. Most of them were in the Rustic Shelter. This has a large sloping roof and cost ^90. It is provided with stout canvas curtains, which are put up on the windward side,when necessary for protection in severe weather. Good shelters could now^ be made for about £yo. WT found the patients very warmly clad and provided with flannel shirts and drawers. We stayed amongst them some little time and particularly noticed that we did not hear a single cough or see a single patient expectorate. The majority looked as though they had benelited by the Asylum dietary. It is a liberal one, and the Phthisical cases are only allow'ed one extra, in the shape of an extra egg daily. Round a portion of another shelter we observed that the canvas screen was up. “ Spare them draughts, if you can,” said Dr. Elkins. Before we re-enter the building I must refer to the windows. They were the product of an ingenious mind and combine strength, protection of iron bars, the admission of a certain amount of air and plenty of light. In other words tliese are small narrow panes of glass set in an iron frame work. With
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