Twenty-third annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1860.

  • Suffolk Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
[1861]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Twenty-third annual report of the Suffolk Lunatic Asylum : December, 1860. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    4/38 (page 4)
    Large and repeated magisterial meetings took place at the beginning of the year, for the purpose of ascertaining the best mode of overcoming existing difficulties ; and removing a somewhat hazardous pressure on the female side of the House. The question turned upon the probable advantages of building another Asylum in the Western Division of the County, or those which might be obtained by making sun¬ dry alterations, and effecting improvements in this House. After very minute and careful investigations, it was con¬ sidered advisable to alter some portions of the present Building; and by removing some obstructions, to make provision for the future reception of more female patients. The Laundry departments were faulty, the drying yard much too small, the dairy encroached on one of the airing courts and made it dull and damp; and an unoccupied piece of ground at the back of the House presented a tempting space to fill up. By the removal of the dairy which is now re-built in a more convenient spot; and by the alterations completed and in progress, the apartments and airing courts for the females will be less enclosed, and additional accommodation secured. The buildings have obtained official, and we may say indeed general commendation; and though the work has been carried on under all the disadvantages of a very wet season, the ardour of the patients who have been employed, has not been damped by it. One man the subject of recurrent mania, required some authority to control his efforts, and to keep his labours within due limits. A proof of existing re¬ gard for his former abode, was shewn by a patient who was discharged six years ago: he is a bricklayer, and hearing that we had difficulty in obtaining such handycraftsmen, he left other employ, and came regularly to work as a paid labourer with his son. The zeal of a very insane but very able director was most conspicuous, as he stood working himself and encouraging others, to complete the roof of a