The twenty-third report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell : January quarter sessions, 1868 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum].

  • Middlesex Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell.
Date:
1868
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The twenty-third report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum at Hanwell : January quarter sessions, 1868 / [Middlesex County Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    The present sanitary state of the Asylum is satisfactory, and there has not been therein, during the past year, any epidemic disorder. With very few exceptions in the Female Division, the Patients, at the time of our visits, were quiet and orderly, and none made any complaints into which special inquiry was called for. Many of the Female Patients expressed their dislike of the present breakfast, cocoa and dry bread, and we are glad to learn that tea is about to be substi¬ tuted for cocoa in the Female Division, and butter allowed generally. The personal condition of the Patients of both sexes was satisfactory and creditable to the Attendants, who appear to be of a very respectable class, and attentive and kind to their Patients. We have also to report favourably of the quality and general state of the Clothing. In reference to the dress of some of the inmates of the worst Male Ward, which was old and much worn, we took occasion to inquire as to the supply and Clothes in Store, and were furnished with a statement, from which it appears that considerable delay takes place in complying with the requisitions of the In¬ spector of the East Division. Of 15 new suits required as far back as August last, 9 only have as yet been received; and from August to November inclusive, out of 75 suits required, 29 only have been supplied. It is very important that there should always be in the Wards a stock of Clothing to meet the requirements. According co the Medical Journal, the Patients secluded during paroxysms of excitement, or for other reasons, since the last visit, have been 34 in the Male and 26 in the Female Division, the former altogether on 78 and the latter on 41 occasions.