Thirty-fifth annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1872.

  • Suffolk Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
[1873]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Thirty-fifth annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1872. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    11/20 (page 11)
    ma3 truly be called a spiritual one, and to make mind pre- dominate over matter. An asylum is a hospital for the diseased; the brain alone is the organ of the mind; and tne brain is a very jealous organ, resisting any encroach¬ ment upon its guarded delicate treatment. This makes the subject of diet entirely a medical question : and the Superin¬ tendent feels it a duty which he owes to his own professional reputation, and to every patient under his care, to repeat his conviction frequently expressed, that of all economy dietetic economy is the very worst. Sir James Cox, the Scotch Commissioner in Lunacy, in his valuable address lately delivered before the Psychological Association in Edinburgh, after enjoining varied occupation and exercise in the open air as the great secret of successful treatment insanity, says, “ purgatives, hypnotics, tonics, and narcotics, are useful as auxiliaries; but a comfortable meal is the best of sedatives.’’ Dr. Letheby has some valuable re¬ marks on the proper arrangement of meals, the construction of dietaries, &c. &c. the main considerations being the due proportions of nitrogenous and carbonaceous matters.*4 We all know that the same food which contributes to the health or meets the decay of the body, gives energy or weakness to the mind (and this makes a Union-house dietary unlit provision for a hospital for the insane): and as morals are connected with sound principles of diet, the choice should be of those substances which give power without excitement, avoiding those which give excitement without power. The indulgencies by extended walks beyond the walls have been continued as usual, and the amusements of the patients in various ways promoted. Singing classes are very effective, and it may not be altogether an inappropriate name, to call this Asylum a Musical House. Dr. Harris is * Letheby on Food, p. 137.