Report of the medical officers of the Lunatic Asylum for the County of Lancaster : instituted 28th July 1816 1847.

  • Lancaster County Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the medical officers of the Lunatic Asylum for the County of Lancaster : instituted 28th July 1816 1847. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    ment of the Institution, yet the Medical Officers have the satisfaction of thinking, that in the opinion of the Commis¬ sioners in Lunacy, the various difficulties have been so far met as to lead them to speak in favourable terms of the condition of the patients. September 22nd, 1846. “ We the undersigned Commissioners in Lunacy have been employed yesterday and this day, in visiting and inspecting this establishment; we have seen and personally examined every patient, male and female, resident in the Asylum, and have been much gratified with the clean, tranquil, and contented state, in which we have with a very few exceptions found them. “ We have also visited the different wards, galleries, cells, dormitories and day rooms, and carefully examined the bedding; the bedding was arranged on the bedsteads with neatness and was very clean in every respect; and the rooms, galleries, &c., were well ventilated, and free, even in the basement story, from every kind of offensive smell; we consider this as owing entirely to the method which Mr. Gaskell has adopted in the treatment of patients of dirty habits, which appears to be attended with complete success; and we cannot refrain, whilst making these observations, from expressing our admiration and unqualified approbation of the patience, zeal, and continued perseverance with which he has prosecuted his plan, in weaning his patients from filthy practices, and restoring them to cleanliness and com¬ fort ; and thus benefiting their bodily and mental health.