Fortieth annual report of the County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum for the year 1892, and financial statements, 1992-93.

  • County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Fortieth annual report of the County and City of Worcester Lunatic Asylum for the year 1892, and financial statements, 1992-93. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    63 women in the Laundry, The above totals (which include also 75 men and 84 women who are Ward helpers) represent 65 per cent, of the entire number of male, and 71 per cent, of female, Patients, which are very satisfactory proportions. Due attention appears to be given to the important matter of the exercise afforded to the Patients. The recorded instances of the use of mechanical restraint since the last visit,, are those of its employment on two women on 11 occasions, and for 167-|- hours. Seclusion was resorted to with 15 males on 78 occasions, and for 579 hours; and 32 women on 106 occasions, and for 500 hours. We found the Wards generally in very good order, clean, bright, and in good repair. We noticed, however, a few matters to which we call attention. In some Water Closets there was a suspicion of sewer gas : we indicate especially No. 3 Female, and Nos. 12 and 13 in the Annexe. One or two of the Bath-rooms and Lavatories also were not quite sweet. We think a better protection to the taps of baths and of the hot water taps elsewhere, should be devised. In the former, we suggest their being covered by boxes, to be locked when not in use : an ordinary Attendant’s key being used. Some of the Bathing Pules have become indistinct, and greater prominence should be given to the Pule, enjoining that cold water should be first turned on. Care should be taken to make all towel rollers perfectly secure. The Water Supply of the Asylum continues to be derived from the Brook. No want of water has recently been felt, as we are informed, nor any ill effects from the use of the water. The absence of disease, which might be attributed to unwhole¬ some water, and the low death-rate of the past year, would seem to confirm this statement; but still the source of supply being so liable to contamination, can never be considered satisfactory, and the question of replacing it by a better, should not be lost sight of. A strike of Bricklayers has hindered the completion of the extension of the Alale side of the Annexe; but it should be finished this year. This, and the erection of some Cottages for married Attendants, are the only structural works which have been recently in progress. We learn that the wages of the Attendants have recently been improved, and their leave increased. The latter has been followed by an increase of the strength of the Staff. Male Attendants’ wages now begin at £26, and advance to £40; Female Attendants at £16, rising to £26. For day duty there are (excluding Head Attendants) 33 men and 37 women; being of the former 1 to 11 Patients, and of the latter 1 to about 14 Patients. Bearing in mind the recent additions, the duration of service is good. For night duty, there are 4 men and 5