Second annual report of the Argyll District Asylum for the Insane : 1865.

  • Argyll District Asylum for the Insane.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Second annual report of the Argyll District Asylum for the Insane : 1865. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/24 (page 24)
    Ihe meal is taken deliberately in separate courses, knives and forks being used, and all the dishes and plates being of earthenware. This mode of serving the food has various advantages. In the first place, it has a tendency to inculcate good habits, and to promote self-control. In the second place, it diminishes waste; and, in the third place, it allows food of superior quality to be supplied without increasing the cost of maintenance. The cost of the food of the patients is still calculated to be about one-third of the total expense, or sixpence a day per head; but there is reason to hope that it may be reduced as supplies are derived from the asylum garden and grounds. On examination, the debris from the meals was found extremely moderate. About twenty patients of each sex are habitually industrially employed, the men in out-door work and the women in the wash¬ ing-house and laundry, and in sewing, knitting, and household work. All, with the exception of those who are infirm, take exercise in the general grounds ; and many take frequent walks beyond the asylum bounds. Recreation and amusement are afforded by dancing, croquet, &c., and various periodicals are sup¬ plied in sufficient numbers for the wants of the patients. About 30 men and 24 women attend the ministrations of the chaplains. All vegetables, with the exception of potatoes, are now fully supplied by the garden. The uncertain supply of milk, and the inconvenience to which this gave rise have rendered it necessary to purchase cows; and, indeed, from the remoteness of the asylum from markets it will be found advantageous to make it as indepen¬ dent as possible of extraneous sources of supply for all perishable articles of food. In connection with the situation of the asylum, the Commissioner ventures to suggest that, as a certain degree of social intercourse with neighbours will enable the Medical Superintendent to continue, without undue strain, the satisfactory discharge of his responsible duties, it may be for the benefit of the establishment to afford him the means of keeping a horse or pony. The various registers were found carefully and neatly kept. It is scarcely necessary to add that the impressions produced by the inspection were very favourable. fSigned) JAMES COXE, Commissioner in Lunacy.