Forty-second annual report of the County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum for the year 1894, and financial statements, 1994-95.

  • County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Forty-second annual report of the County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum for the year 1894, and financial statements, 1994-95. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    accommodation for 6 Patients of one sex only, if Patients of the other sex were attacked simultaneously no isolation other than in the Wards would be possible. In these circumstances we again urge upon the Committee the pressing importance of providing a small detached hospital for the isolation of cases of infectious disease for both sexes. We saw in bed 11 men and 25 women, chiefly for old age and debility. We notice with satisfaction that no one is now continuously confined to bed for long periods to guard against dangerous or destructive tendencies, or as a means of treating noisy excitement. The percentage of deaths upon the average number resident for 1893 has been low, viz., 7'53 for both sexes. The Coroner held 3 inquests ; (1) a woman died from heart disease shortly after admission; (2) a male whose death from brain disease was accelerated by the fracture of a rib ; and (3) a woman fractured her leg and died from the effects associated with brain and heart disease. Verdicts in accordance with the medical evidence were returned in each case, and no blame was imputed to any Asylum official. All the remaining deaths, 64, were due to natural causes, such as are ordinary in Asylums. In 62 instances, or 92 per cent, of the deaths, the causes were verified by post mortem examinations. We may here mention that a small but convenient room has been fitted up as a Pathological Laboratory and Museum, and the Committee have authorised the purchase of an excellent microscope. Both Attendants and Nurses are regularly instructed in first-aid and nursing by lectures given by Dr. Cooke and his Assistants. We are glad to find out that the Head or Deputy Head Attendants are always present at the general bathing of the Patients, and examine them to see they are free from marks or bruises, and we are told that no difficulty is experienced, even in an Asylum of this size, in carrying out this important practice. Amongst other matters we have to mention we desire to notice with satisfaction the glazed bricks used in the W.C’s. and passage at No. 8 Female Infirmary, and we hope this improvement may be carried out in similar offices through the whole building. The single room doors will soon, we hope, be opened by a handle from the outside, quiet rest at night, and speedy release in the event of fire being thereby insured, whilst the expense is but small. We are glad to see that fire buckets are now placed on the ground, available at a moment’s notice, and we hear external staircases are to be erected from the Epileptic Dormitory on either side. Fourteen persons, however, sleep in F. 6 with only one staircase leading to it and no other possible means of exit. The rest of the sleeping rooms seem to us to be properly provided with double exits. We are much astonished to find in this well ordered Asylum that no less a number than 8 males (exclusive of the Medical Officers) have keys admitting them to the Female Wards. Such disastrous results have
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