Letter addressed to the editor of the Fifeshire Journal, on the cottage treatment of pauper lunatics. 22d. October 1870 / A. W. Wemyss.

Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Letter addressed to the editor of the Fifeshire Journal, on the cottage treatment of pauper lunatics. 22d. October 1870 / A. W. Wemyss. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    LETTER ADDRESSED TO THE EDITOR OF THE FIFESHIRE JOURNAL ^ ON THE COTTAGE TREATMENT OF PAUPER LUNATICS. 22d OCTOBER 1870. SiB,—As I observe that you bave directed pub- lic attention in a particular manner to this subject, by a leading article in your journal of 29th September last, suggested by the annual report of the Superintendent of the District Asylum, pub- lished in your journal on 22d September; and, as I conceive, there is very general misconception upon man}’ points in regard to this matter, I beg leave, through your columns, to make a few re- marks on the subject. This discussion has arisen from statements in the report alluded to, to the effect there are cases of chronic, incurable, and harmless pauper-lunatics in the District Asylum, which ought to be removed and boarded out in cottages of some of the villagers in the county, to go at large, but under the supervision of the Dis- trict Board and the medical officers of the District Asylum. But, it is also added, that there exists no power to carry this into effect. Now, this question has been discussed over and over again. No one disputes that there are many cases of such unfortunate individuals who do not require asylum treatment, and who are better ^bO 51