Fifth annual report, 1869 / Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum.

  • Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fifth annual report, 1869 / Newcastle-upon-Tyne Borough Lunatic Asylum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    13/26 (page 13)
    DEATHS. The mortality this year stands at 10*3 per cent, of the average number of patients resident. Among the males the number of deaths, in an almost equal population, is three times as many as among the females, this is attributable to the large number of general paralytics among the former. The causes of death were principally cerebral diseases. Of the 16 who died, 12 were between the ages of 30 and 50, and one was 83 years of age. He had been in various asylums for the last 40 years. The cause of the mental affection, as well as the most fre¬ quent cause of death, was organic disease of the brain. . GENERAL HEALTH. During the year the general health of the community has been good. No epidemic of any kind has occurred. ACCIDENTS AND ESCAPES. Eortunately no serious accident occurred during the year. Although there was considerable risk in transferring some of the patients to the New Asylum, no mishap took place. One man escaped, and, being absent 14 days without being retaken, was discharged. OCCUPATIONS. It is the constant aim of the Management of the Asylum to keep employed as many patients as possible, hence a great amount of various kinds of work has been accomplished, benefit¬ ing the patients themselves and profitable to the Asylum. Besides the usual indoor occupations of making up and mending the clothing and bedding, the men have been most usefully employed in forming the roads and walks, and laying out and cultivating the ground. In the spring a large amount of plant¬ ing was accomplished. The mounds to the west of the building have been shaped and planted with trees and shrubs. The south