Seventeenth annual report, for 1875 / Sussex County Lunatic Asylum, Haywards Heath.

  • Sussex County Lunatic Asylum (Haywards Heath, England)
Date:
1876
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Seventeenth annual report, for 1875 / Sussex County Lunatic Asylum, Haywards Heath. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    be, on the whole, very fairly successful. At two of the classes reading, writing, and simple arithmetic are taught, and the third is devoted to readings in the Bible and to elementary divinity. The majority of the patients able to attend these classes can already read and write, but many of them improve con¬ siderably in these respects by their attendance. Moreover, it is a source of innocent amusement and recreation to them, and varies the dull monotony of their lives. Many patients have, however, come here quite unable to read or write, and, when discharged, have been able to do both. To them the boon of attending these classes has been very great. Three notable instances occurred this year, of which the following are particulars W. C., an imbecile, admitted from Maidstone, set. 17. He could neither read nor write. When discharged with the rest of the Maidstone cases in August last, he could read and write extremely well, and had moreover learnt tailoring suffi¬ ciently well to enable him to make the suit of clothes he was removed in. He, over and over again, expressed great grati¬ tude for having been thus taught. G. 0., set. 43, a bricklayer by trade, is subject to acute recurrent mania, and has been in the Asylum several times. Was quite illiterate when admitted, but during his convales- cense from each attack, has attended the classes, and has learnt not only to read, but also to write sufficiently well to be able to correspond with his wife. E. M., set. 48, married woman with several children. Has been here twice. Attended the classes both times. Could read a little when first admitted ; has since learnt to write very