Sixth annual report of the Inverness District Lunatic Asylum : May 1870.

  • Inverness District Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sixth annual report of the Inverness District Lunatic Asylum : May 1870. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    continued. The slopes and terraces in front of the Asylum have been almost completed, together with the formation of a necessary- road along the foot of the terrace; and to effect this 3838 waggon loads of earth were removed by Grant’s Patent Portable Railway. The effect of this improvement cannot yet be thoroughly appreci¬ ated, but when once the terraces are covered with grass, and broken up with flower beds and clumps of shrubbery, it will relieve the somewhat monotonous outline of the building and add to its amenity. The excavations on the north side of the Asylum have been carried on with activity, and the greater part of the embank¬ ment, which concealed and disfigured the male portion of the build¬ ing, has been taken away—the excavations amounting to more than 3000 cubic yards. An additional acre of land has been reclaimed below and to the west of the Asylum and put under crop, and in future, until the whole is effected, the taking in of land will be con¬ fined to this part of the grounds. In addition to these works, there has been considerable clearance of whins and stones. Two terrace slopes have been formed at the Medical Superintendent’s house, and drains to the extent of 450 lineal yards have been put into the fields of arable land. In concluding this Report, I cannot do so without thanking Mr Davidson for the assistance he has at all times been ready to give me. There have been considerable changes in the prin¬ cipal officers of the staff, necessitated by their appointment to better positions and by illness. A new matron and clerk have been ap¬ pointed, both of whom have displayed an interest in their work which is gratifying. Dr Macdowall has succeeded Dr Cassidy as medical assistant, and has exhibited both attention and energy in his duties. Dr Cassidy was appointed third medical officer to the Criminal Lunatic Asylum at Broadmoor, and on leaving he took with him the good wishes of every member of the establishment. Other changes have taken place amongst the attendants and ser¬ vants; but, notwithstanding, the efficiency of the staff continues, and during the next twelve months it is pleasing to be able to look forward to the carrying out of many improvements which, it is believed, will add to the comfort and content of those it is necessary to place here under treatment. 16th May 1870. THOS. AITKEN, M.D.