The Royal Albert Institution, Lancaster : for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland fifty-sixth annual report.

  • Royal Albert Institution (Lancaster, England)
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The Royal Albert Institution, Lancaster : for the feeble-minded belonging to Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland fifty-sixth annual report. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    6/60 (page 4)
    PROSPECTUS. THE ROYAL ALBERT INSTITUTION was established in 1864 for the care, education and training of the improvable Feeble-minded of all classes belonging to the Seven Northern Counties—Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Durham and Northumberland It was erected and is supported by voluntary contributions, and patients are admitted both free by election and also, WITHOUT ELECTION. AT RATES VARYING FROM 40 TO 250 GUINEAS PER ANNUM. Votes are allotted to subscribers and donors according to the amount contributed, and there are always many election applicants. Special accommodation is reserved for PRIVATE PATIENTS BOTH AT BRUNTON HOUSE AND IN THE MAIN BUILDINGS. The Institution is situated about a mile from Lancaster ; and the estate upon which it is erected consists of 277 acres of excellent land in a charming and salubrious situation, commanding fine views of Morecambe Bay and the mountains of the Lake District. Accommodation has been provided for about 750 inmates, and the arrange¬ ments comprise every convenience for the specific treatment of the feeble-minded. The system of training is designed to secure, by special means, the physical, mental and moral improvement of the patients. Besides the school instruction, training is given in a great variety of useful occupations. The boys are taught tailoring, shoemaking, basketmaking, brushmaking, matmaking, joinery and cabinetmaking, woodcarving, toymaking, printing, book¬ binding, weaving cordmaking and baking ; and there are excellent means of outdoor employment and training in farm and garden work. The girls are trained in knitting, sewing, lacemaking, hatmaking, cooking and other household occupations, and in toymaking and laundry work. The results of training are shown by the following statistics: Since the opening of the Institution in December, 1870, 3,863 patients have been admitted, nearly all of whom have been considerably improved, some 10 per cent, having become self- supporting. Practically, no case leaves the Institution altogether unimproved. Epileptic, Paralytic, Tuberculous and Insane Persons are not eligible for admission ; nor those who are incurably Hydrocephalic. Blindness or Deafness is also a disqualification. The following are some of the principal Rules and Regulations : Patients.—Threejclasses are admitted : 1. Private patients, admitted at rates varying from 80 to 250 guineas per annum, according to the privileges and accommodation required. There is no maximum age restriction, and no residential qualification is necessary 2. Patients for whom the full payment cannot be offered, and who belong to one of the seven associated northern counties, are eligible for admission at reduced rates varying from 40 to 80 guineas per annum. 3. Elected patients, between the ages of six and fifteen at the date of application whose Inends are proved to be unable to meet the lowest payment. They are admitted by the votes of the Subscribers, and are received for seven years or more, suitable cases being eligible for re-election for a further period. They must belong to one of the seven associated northern counties. A pplications for Admtsston.—Applications must be addressed to the Secretary, from whom all necessary information may be obtained. The Central Committee will institute inquiries to ascertain whether there is a reasonable probability of benefit from the treatment adopted in the Institution, and to enable them to decide the terms on which the candidates ought to be admitted. Before every election, a list of approved applicants from each County will be sent to the Subscribers entitled to vote for the admission of patients.