32
trusted few of this class occupy themselves with duties in the service of the
asylum. A half-holiday is granted every week to the more intelligent of
the industrious and well-conducted, who are then permitted, under suitable
supervision, to visit the city market, provided with a few pice to spend on
harmless gratification. This indulgence, at once an element of discipline and
a gradual re-introduction to the world, is greatly prized, and although now
continued for many years, on no occasion has the behaviour of those so
privileged, while out of doors, been otherwise than fully satisfactory.
18. There is nothing new to note of medical agents. Hydrate of chloral
continues to be occasionally employed in exceptional cases of excitement and
pervigilium; and is a useful addition to the available means of controlling
insomnia, among which large poultices, containing a fifth part of mustard,
applied for several hours over the stomach, are the most generally used. But
remedies of this class are comparatively seldom resorted to, since, save in
exceptional instances, a comfortable meal will ordinarily be found the best se-
dative, and abundance of exercise and labour in the open air the best hypnotic.
Bromide of potassium has had a more extended trial than before, and with
decided good results, particularly in some of the cases complicated with epi-
lepsy. In one of these recovery followed, and in two others, transferred to
friends, both were materially improved, the epileptic seizures having long
ceased.
Employment.
19. Gardening still continues, as I trust it long may, to be the chief
pursuit followed by the males, the hours usually
being from early morning till 9 or 10, and from 3 till
sunset. Many of them eagerly engage in it, disdaining often the interval
of rest, and conduct skilfully, in silent pre-occupation, all the operations con-
nected with the irrigation and culture of a large flourishing garden. Employ-
ment in this direction has the rare merit that it can be entered on by all
without detriment to creed, or prejudice to caste, while it is, at the same time,
highly conducive to physical health, a consideration of the last importance
in the successful treatment of the insane.
No form of employment, as experience amply shows, can vie with this
peaceful, pleasurable pursuit in awakening interest and engaging attention,
while its soothing salutary influences, whether under morbid conditions of
depression or excitement, are abundantly verified in the results of daily
bservation.
20. It is, however, very rarely that patients on reception are in a condi-
tion to enter on this occupation, or, indeed, to engage in any other. An
interval of retirement or seclusion, devoted to special treatment, is almost
invariably required, and then the beginnings are generally of a merely
mechanical kind, often, at first, reluctantly or perfunctorily performed, such
as carrying materials for levelling the ground or repairing the pathways.
Even such employment, although of necessity frequently failing in effecting
the result aimed at, is, nevertheless, under all circumstances, still, in the
interests of the individual and of the other inmates, conducive as it is to
tranquillity by day and rest at night, while it occasionally succeeds in
restoring the lost balance between physical and mental health, even under
conditions seemingly hopeless.
21. This only illustrates a truth long recognized and observed here,
viz., that employment of any kind is infinitely preferable to idleness; occupa-
tion of some sort, but particularly out of doors, being an unquestionable
necessity in the successful treatment of the insane.