Second annual report of the Inverness District Lunatic Asylum : May 1866.

  • Inverness District Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second annual report of the Inverness District Lunatic Asylum : May 1866. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The farther experience acquired in working the establishment shows that the house is well adapted for its purpose. The general arrangements are convenient, and there are abundant means of classification. The unfinished state of the terrace in front, how¬ ever, deprives the infirm and convalescent patients of facilities for enjoying the open air, and leads to a certain degree of overcrowd¬ ing in the day-rooms. Bearing in mind that a large number of the inmates have been brought from Asylums where no efficient discipline was exercised, and where no persistent efforts were made to correct their degraded habits; and further, remembering the condition in which many of them were brought up, it will be easy to see how many difficulties must be overcome to introduce among them habits of older and industry. A very satisfactory beginning has nevertheless been made, and there is every indication that the institution will soon take rank in every department with the highest of its class. Industrial occupation has already received considerable attention, and about 50 males and 80 females are regularly employed. As yet no general female workroom has been instituted, but as the advantages of this arrangement are fully recognised, it is probable that one of the empty rooms will soon be devoted to this purpose. In the female department a commencement has been made of introducing objects of decoration and ornament. It is to be hoped that this movement will go on steadily, and meet with support from without. The intention is not merely to give the house a pleasing appearance, but to influence the mental condition of the patients, to supply them with subjects of interest, to render them more orderly, more tractable, and more humane. The house was found thoroughly clean in every part, and free from all offensive odours, except a slight smell arising from some of the urinals which are not altogether judiciously placed. V entilation is well attended to, but it might be advisable to increase the opening space of some of the windows. The clothing of both sexes was generally in good condition, and the bedding was always clean and in good order. Considering the class of patients, the numbers raised during the night are exceptionally small, being only six of each sex. From this circumstance, and from the satisfactory sanitary condition of the patients generally, it is not considered necessary to institute night nursing, but the system will be acted on as soon as it