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.

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    lightly with individuals, who are of necessity excluded both from general society and from that of their own friends, would be a very valuable acquisition to the Institution. One great source of gratification to the Patients is the opportunity of taking a walk into the country; and whenever it has been convenient to spare the services of an Attendant from the Wards, the Medical Officer has always found it very advan¬ tageous to concede this privilege to as many as can be properly taken care of under the circumstances. With respect to the subject of Exercise, it may not be out of place here to mention, that, during the time when the airing courts belonging to the eastern wing, were in course of preparation, the Females were necessarily deprived in a great measure of their opportunities of taking exercise in the open air, and that the consequence was a remarkable increase in the tendency to disorder and tumult; but since these courts have been rendered comparatively comfortable, the disposition here adverted to has been very much diminished; and if the outer grounds were so laid out so as to afford a wider range for their movements, along with greatly extended means for their health¬ ful employment, and a feeling of comparative freedom, there can be no doubt that the results in this way would be proportionately beneficial. In the course of the year various additions have been made to the internal conveniences of the Asylum, as well as to those of the airing courts. Among others, a Scullery has been attached to each Ward, so that this part of the domestic business has no longer to be exclusively transacted in the Kitchen, and the Patients are thereby prevented from unnecessarily mingling with each other in that part of the House, whilst the presence of the Attendants is not needlessly withdrawn upon this account from their respective Wards. Sheds and seats have been erected in the courts, and afford agreeable resting places for the Patients