Report on the Royal Lunatic Asylum of Montrose for 1866 : instituted 1782.

  • Royal Lunatic Asylum, Infirmary, and Dispensary of Montrose.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report on the Royal Lunatic Asylum of Montrose for 1866 : instituted 1782. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/20
    REPORT OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE OF THE ASYLUM. The Committee have again to record a decrease in the number of patients since last year, owing to the opening of new Asylums. The number was then 421, and it is now 393 only, of which 357 are at Sunnyside, and 36 in Montrose. On the opening of the Fifeshire District Asylum—which it is understood will take place next month —the number will be still farther reduced by the withdrawal from the Asylum of all the pauper patients belonging to that locality ; and as the Sunnyside Asylum will then be equal to the accommodation of all the remaining patients, the whole will be transferred there, and the Old Asylum finally closed. The Committee do not anticipate any immediate farther loss of patients from the opening of other new Asylums. As authorized by the Managers, the Committee in December last entered into an agreement with the District Board of Caithness-shire for the reception and maintenance of all the pauper lunatics of that county for the term of three years, certain and afterwards, to continue until six month s' notice be given on either side. No work deserving of special notice has been undertaken during the year just elapsed, but a variety of alterations and improvements have been carried out by patients7 labour in the Grounds and on the Farm, by which the productiveness of the latter has been considerably increased. The Committee are glad to say the live stock on the Farm has hitherto entirely escaped the ravages of Rinderpest; but from the impolicy of making any changes in the cows during the prevalence of the disorder, the supply of milk has been less regular than last year, and the quantity for this year less on the whole by about one-tenth part, with corresponding loss to the establishment. At present a very full supply of milk is being received. The Committee have during the year continued their weekly visits to Sunnyside, and they have to express their approval of the manage¬ ment, and their satisfaction with the staff and officers generally. The Hou se has been maintained in excellent condition, and the minutes of official inspection are in all respects confirmatory of the opinion of the Committee. The Committee beg to return their grateful thanks for the follow¬ ing entertainments kindly given in the Asylum, viz.:—Concerts by the Militia Band, the Harmonic Union, the Lyric Union, and the Old Church Choir; Lectures by Mr. George Burrel, Mr. Alex. Monfries, Rev. Mr. Craig, and Dr. Lawrence. They have also specially to thank various benevolent ladies for contributions to the Amusement Fund, and for repeated acts of kindness shown to the patients. (Signed) DAVID WALKER, Convener.