Seventeenth annual report of the medical superintendent of the lunatic asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the boroughs of Wenlock, Shrewsbury, and Oswestry. 1862 [i.e. 1861] / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum].

  • Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1862
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Seventeenth annual report of the medical superintendent of the lunatic asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the boroughs of Wenlock, Shrewsbury, and Oswestry. 1862 [i.e. 1861] / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    THE VISITORS REPORT THAT the number of Patients in the Asylum January 1st, 1861, was 375, viz: Males 177, Females 198. The number admitted during the year was 115, and the number discharged and dead 122, Leaving on the 26th day of December, 368, viz : Males 174, Females 194, shewing a decrease of 7 compared with January 1st, 1861. The accommodation afforded in the Asylum is sufficient for the number of the Patients. That they continue to place confidence in the management of the Medical Superintendent Dr. Oliver, the Assistant Medical Officer Mr. Eayley, and the Matron Mrs. Oliver. The conduct of the Attendants and Nurses has been throughout the year satisfactory; three Male Attendants only having been dismissed, and only one of these for illtreatment of the Patients. That the Commissioners in Lunacy visited the Asylum in January of this year; they made suggestions, some of which had been anticipated by the Visitors, and others which the Visitors have thought it desirable to adopt, but some the Visitors did not think were consistent with the economical character or good government of the Asylum. That the Pigsties which from the enlargement of the Asylum were found to be inconveniently situated and offensive, have been removed to a distance from the Asylum into the centre of the lately purchased ground. That the Laundry and Washhouse will be completed in a fortnight, so that it can be occupied. Whether a small Steam Engine should be erected to assist the washing has engaged the consideration of the Visitors, but as it appeared that there was a sufficiency of hand labour, and that there would be no saving of expenditure in adopting steam power, they have declined to introduce the change, but if at any future time the other view should be adopted by the Visitors, an Engine might be erected without materially interfering with the Hew Building. Under these circumstances the additional £150 asked for at the last Sessions will not be at present required. In coming to the above conclusion, the Visitors have been influenced by the desire of employing with the consent of the Superintendent, the labour of Male Patients in the Laundry to work the Washing and Wringing Machines. That the Pigsties have been completed within the sum allowed by the Court, and the Laundry also will not exceed the estimate.