The fourth annual report of the North Wales Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh : for the year m.dccc.lii.

  • North Wales Counties Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The fourth annual report of the North Wales Lunatic Asylum, Denbigh : for the year m.dccc.lii. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    “We are glad to find that of the patients generally, a considerable number are employed. A daily register of the numbers thus occupied is kept; from which it appears that out of 76 men, 64 are employed ; and out of 82 women, 59 are employed. “No patient, we are assured, has ever been placed in mechanical restraint since the opening of the Establishment. “A large portion of the land has been brought into cultivation by the'patients. Ten acres, being more than half the estate, is made productive by means of spade husbandry. “ There are now 169 patients in the House; viz., 11 privates, and 158 paupers. We have to day seen the whole of them, and found them tranquil, orderly, and generally comfortable. “ The various rooms occupied by the patients are remarkably clean, free from offensive smell, and in good order. The grounds generally, as well as the offices, were in a creditable state. But we consider that increased attention might be paid to the condition of the airing grounds ; which, if planted and made ornamental, would materially add to the cheerfulness of the Establish¬ ment, and tend to promote order among the patients. “ The bedding we found to be clean and in good order; and we were glad to observe that the joiner, assisted by several of the patients, were actively engaged in making several additional articles of furniture. “We visited the patients at dinner, and found the food to be abundant, of good quality, and judiciously served. “ Regular excursions are made by parties of patients into the surrounding country, who appear to derive benefit from this species of bodily exercise and recreation. “ The whole Establishment is in a creditable and very satisfactory state. “Signed, “ S. GASKELL, ) Commissioners “W. MYLNE, j injjunacy.” We have experienced so much kindness and consideration from the Visitors, that we should be uncourteous towards them if we complained of the discouraging delays which have occurred in the adoption of the various improvements and requirements which we have, from time to time, con¬ sidered it our duty to suggest to them. We are fully aware that the delay has been caused by circumstances over which the Visitors in general have had no control, and which we do not deem it our province to com¬ ment upon, beyond the expression of our deep regret, and a fervent hope that some active measure will be adopted to obtain such a modification of the