Comprises the following: 1. Notes on structural changes, c 1875 These include notes on rooms, bedrooms, other rooms and areas, medical treatment of patients, arrangements for treatment of infectious diseases, outdoor amusements and attendants. Many of the notes are phrased as questions, perhaps indicating that this was intended as a survey of facilities at other institutions as a preliminary to structural changes and updating of facilities at the Retreat in the 1870s. 2. Notebook belonging to Robert Baker recording visits to other places, 1875 This appears to record a tour made by Baker to look at other asylums and institutions. It is probably related to the notes above. The book records comments on eg treatments, observations of illnesses, management of mental illness at other places; there are notes on a visit to Northampton Asylum 23 August 1875; and notes on the cooking apparatus at St Pancras Hotel 24 August 1875; the other places visited included Ticehurst Asylum, Sidcot School, and Farnham Asylum in Hampshire. The notes are not extensive and sometimes cryptic.
