Twelfth report of the Somerset County Pauper Lunatic Asylum : from 1st January to the end of the year 1859.

  • Somerset County Pauper Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Twelfth report of the Somerset County Pauper Lunatic Asylum : from 1st January to the end of the year 1859. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Dr. Boyd in his report has drawn the attention of the Comity to the importance of providing an Asylum for middle class patients. The asylum has been gradually enlarged by the Visitors, without charge on the county rate, either for repairs or improvements. It will be remembered that the asylum was opened in the early part of 1818, for 350 patients; it now contains 191 males, and 212 females. Dr. Boyd reports that there is room for 22 males, and 15 females, making in all 440; that when the alterations now in progress are completed, room can be made for 500, and that by building a new Chapel 62 more can be accommodated. It is impossible to explain in a few words the altera¬ tions now in progress; the principal reason for them was the necessity of a larger hall for dinner, and for occasional entertainments given to the patients. There was no place which could be considered entirely safe for the latter, and the success of Dr. Boyd’s plan in making a large number of patients dine together5 pointed out the remedy. The Committee regret that Dr. Macreight, the assistant physician, has been obliged to resign through ill health, after three years and a half satisfactory service. Dr. Lindsay has been chosen to succeed him with testimonials which show him to be a very distinguished young man.