Report of the Committee of Visitors, report of the Medical Superintendent, and other papers relating to the asylum : printed by order of the Court of Quarter Session, January, 1859 / Essex Lunatic Asylum.

  • Essex Lunatic Asylum
Date:
1859
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee of Visitors, report of the Medical Superintendent, and other papers relating to the asylum : printed by order of the Court of Quarter Session, January, 1859 / Essex Lunatic Asylum. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    recoveries are below the average, are the North Wales 28-1; Beds, and Herts. 28-5; Hanwell 28-6; Norfolk 30-4; Northampton 31; Kent 31-5; Somerset 33-98; Surrey 35-3; North and East Riding of York 35-5 ; Dorset 38-3; Gloucester 39; Oxford and Berks. 39-2; Lancaster 40-7; and West Riding of York 41-7. “ The Asylums whose mortality is below the average, are the Hanwell 6-3; Nottingham 7-4; North and East Riding of York 7-8; Dorset 8-1; Devon 9; Lancaster 9-9; Stafford 9—9; Oxford and Berks. 10—1; Salop and Montgomery 10-5; North Wales 10-6; Beds, and Herts. 10-6; and Gloucester 10-97. Those with a mor¬ tality above the average, are the West Riding of York 21—2; Somerset 14—1; Suffolk 13-2; Cornwall 13; Surrey 12—1; Norfolk 12-2; Leicester 12-2; Northampton 12—1; Kent 12; and Cheshire 11-4.” In regard to the occupation and amusements of the Patients, I can recall little of any moment to which I have not already alluded in former reports, there having been more done of late to give extended facilities for such as were already in use, than to devise new ones. Want of employment, being in most cases highly prejudicial, every effort is made to prevail on the Patients to engage in some occupation. A large number of the Males are, with great benefit to themselves, employed in gardening and other out-of-door labour; some assist the Carpenter, Engineer and Bricklayer; several are employed with the Shoemaker and Tailor. The whole internal parts of the Asylum were white-washed by the Patients during the summer, and not a few give their services in the work of the galleries. A considerable number of the Females are employed in the wash¬ ing-house, laundry, linen room, and kitchen; also, at needlework^ knitting and embroidery; and a number of them assist the Servants in the work of the House. These occupations, when regular and adapted to the habits of the Patient, not only divert the mind from its delusions, but frequently put an end to that restlessness which attends so many forms of insanity. In addition to the amusements formerly provided, and to the usual walking excursions into the country, which are so much enjoyed by the Patients, more distant Pic-Nic parties were made to Purffeet, during the fine weather, which were sources of much pleasure, both in prospect and retrospect, and were attended with so good effect on
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