Reports of the medical officer of the Lunatic Asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the Borough of Much Wenlock, 1846-1847 / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum].

  • Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Reports of the medical officer of the Lunatic Asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the Borough of Much Wenlock, 1846-1847 / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    10/24 (page 10)
    in the open air. The large gates of the courts belonging to the western wing have been removed, and doors of a more convenient size, which lock and open with the Attendants’ ordinary key, have been substituted. This change has been found to be a great improvement in the way of affording the means of a more ready transit between the interior of the Building and the grounds. The extension of the Boundary Wall, and the completion of the Lodge and Front Gate, along with the alteration which is now in progress in the Windows of the Asylum, will materially diminish one of the most serious incon¬ veniences which has had to be encountered : viz.—the perpetual temptations presented to those individuals who have been inclined to escape. This circumstance has greatly interfered with the orderly conduct of the establishment, both by enhancing the necessity for constant vigilance, and by frequently causing the service of the Ward Attendants to be unnecessarily and incon¬ veniently withdrawn from the interior of the House. The number of individuals who have attempted to escape is seventeen; the number of attempts made by them during the year is 55; and of those there have been 11 cases in which the parties have got clear off, and have only been retaken after intervals varying from a few Hours to Eight Hays. With a Copy of the Buies which were drawn up for the direction of the Attendants, and with a copy also of the general Dietary of the Patients, the Medical Officer begs leave to submit to the Magistrates the Tabular Statements referred to at the commencement of this Beport. Signed, RICHARD OLIVER, M. D. Salop Lunatic Asylum, March 28th, 1846.