State of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum : [fifth report].

Lincoln Lunatic Asylum (Lincoln, England)

Date:: 1829

Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: State of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum : [fifth report]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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Divine Service. the construction of the instruments in use having also been carefully examined, they have destroyed a con¬ siderable proportion of those, that were not, of the most improved and least irritating description, and hope hereafter to introduce still further amelioration into this department. One of the Acts of Parliament alluded to, and various investigations before Parliamentary Commit¬ tees, having shewn the strong feeling of the Legis¬ lature against a total neglect of religious duties in these establishments, the attention of the Governors has been further drawn to this point. The danger of excitement in all cases, and particularly of religious impressions in peculiar forms of insanity, are perfectly obvious. But it having been found by experience, that the periodical performance of divine service has been very beneficial to the Patients, as being in accordance with the former healthy habits of their minds, the Governors have, been very desirous that portions of Scripture should be read to selected Classes of the Patients on the Lord’s day; a custom adopted with great benefit elsewhere, and not exposed to the danger of enthusiastic addresses, or the excite¬ ment of private conferences. The funds of the Institution however not being capable of affording the expense of a regular Chaplain, this wish of the Governors has not yet been carried into effect.