Twenty-fifth annual report of the medical superintendent of the lunatic asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the borough of Wenlock, 1869 / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum].

  • Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Twenty-fifth annual report of the medical superintendent of the lunatic asylum, for the counties of Salop and Montgomery, and for the borough of Wenlock, 1869 / [Salop and Montgomeryshire Counties Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    8/68 (page 8)
    THE COMMISSIONERS in LUNACY REPORT. Salop County Asylum, Tuesday 14th. September, 1869. Yesterday afternoon and this morning we have gone over every part of this Asylum, and seen all the patients. In both divisions they were in a marked degree free from excitement, and the influence was observable everywhere of the generally excellent provision now made for their comfort and proper care. There is unhappily a large proportion of sick, infirm, and unfavourable cases; and we have to speak with the highest praise of the Infirmary accommodation, too often neglected in Asylums, in so far as matters of ornament or mere cheerfulness are concerned, though such are never more required than to relieve the monotony of sick¬ ness; here judicious care is taken to introduce everything that can enliven these wards, or be a source of interest to patients bedridden or otherwise suffering. The papering and painting, the plants, flowers, fern-cases, clocks, pictures, bookcases, and books from which the Day-rooms and Dormitories of the best Wards derive what renders them attractive, are not only present in those for the sick, but are even more observable in them. Another very evident and favourable influence upon the patients of both sexes, is the frequency and regularity of the associated amusements. Notwithstanding some difficulty arising from the absence of a general recreation-hall, these meetings out of both divisions, for entertainments they can enjoy together, are continued regularly; not merely for a portion of the year, but at least once a week throughout the whole of it. Several of both sexes spoke to us of them to-day; and in mentioning what otherwise struck us, as we passed through the wards, of the creditable condi¬ tion of the patients as to personal appearance, and of the thoroughly clean and comfortable state of the bedding in all the Dormitories, which in itself is unusually good in this Asylum, it is right to remark the adequacy and respectability of the staff of Attendants and Nurses. The suggestion as to a matron made at the last visit has not been adopted, but the lady appointed has had much experience, and discharges her duty with an evident interest in it.