Nineteenth annual report of the directors of the Dundee Royal Asylum for Lunatics : submitted in terms of their charter to a general meeting of directors, 17th June 1839.

  • Dundee Royal Asylum for Lunatics.
Date:
1839
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Nineteenth annual report of the directors of the Dundee Royal Asylum for Lunatics : submitted in terms of their charter to a general meeting of directors, 17th June 1839. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to be restrained in the exercise of his moral feelings ? If his re¬ ligious principles cannot and ought not to be eradicated by the power of man, is it not proper that they be duly cherished and di¬ rected in the channel of reason and truth? Has any man had the benefit of a religious education—been trained up to religious exer¬ cises from his childhood—and shall we be justified in the mad and cruel attempt of denuding him of the peace, and joy, and hope of a Christian ? Besides, the Directors feel persuaded that the obli¬ gation will be generally acknowledged, of all classes in the House meeting together to express their dependence on the supreme Ruler, to supplicate his blessing on themselves and their Institu¬ tion ; and, while these exercises have been found useful to the pa¬ tients, they impart their influence to the minds of the servants and keepers; and it is thus that angry passions are calmed, that irritable feelings are soothed, that the thoughtless are reminded of the pre¬ sence and inspection of the invisible Witness and Judge, and peace and contentment are diffused throughout all the members of the Establishment. The average number who have attended the ser¬ vices of the Chaplain during the year is one hundred and twenty- five, while a number attend different churches in Dundee for rea- • • it.' sons that would be tedious to enumerate. In the recent publication of Mr Hill of the Lincoln Asylum, he asserts, “ that, in a properly-constructed building, with a sufficient number of suitable attendants, restraint is never necessary, never justifiable, and always injurious in all cases of lunacy whatever.” It is believed that, if this point were to be settled by practical men, Mr Hill would be left in a very small minority. But, even allow- ing the practicability of the measure, whether it be humane and desirable, is a question that appears to be very problematical. If the mind of a patient can be subdued by the power of intimidation, so as to paralyze his efforts in the hour of maniacal paroxysms, would his condition be more happy, or his welfare more promoted, by being under the influence of terror ? Is it better to enslave the mind than enchain the body ? May there not be greater benevo¬ lence and sympathy in subjecting the members of the body to salu¬ tary restraint than in the exercise of a moral discipline which will ever appear to human feeling burdensome and oppressive ? In¬ stances are not unfrequent of patients, when warned by symptoms of approaching paroxysms, requesting to be placed under tempo-