Seventeenth annual report, 1881 / Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum.

  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1882
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Seventeenth annual report, 1881 / Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    be generally associated in a dormitory; the female epileptics generally fit for such association are 7, of the whole number, 9. This class of patients is visited by the general night attendant in each division every two hours as a rule, and often once hourly. The visitors are of opinion that they would not be justified in the outlay which would arise from the employment of special night attendants for the epileptics here. There have been 18 post mortem examinations and 3 inquests, but there has been no death except from natural causes. We found but 2 men and 5 women in bed. One of each sex was so treated for excitement. No patient was in seclusion nor under restraint. Men and women were quiet during our inspection, and the only complaints were of improper detention, brought forward by patients manifestly unfit for discharge. There is a Swede who seems to be well enough for transfer to his own country, though he could not be discharged here with safety, but hitherto difficulties have not been overcome, which prevent the transfer. We recommend now a direct appeal by the Committee to the Local Government Board (if the Guardians would join) for their assent to the necessary passage money being paid by the latter for this man’s conveyance to his native place, Gottenburgh. O Five female patients wore special strong dresses to-day. Mr. Wickham has introduced for such dresses a new pattern, by no means unsightlv ; the material is linen. Bedding was. through- out the Asylum to-day, in excellent order. The wooden dado in the lower wards looks well; it has been completed at the cost of £200, or thereabouts. The papering of the walls in the dormi¬ tories is varnished, and wears excellently. The deficiency of store rooms is still visible in several directions. The bathing arrangements are satisfactory, but the frost has much interfered with the general supply of water in the lava¬ tories and closets. Curtains on rods would be a boon in the