The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1876-06-13 00:00:00

OUR COUNTY ASYLUMS.

The following reports relative to these admirably
conducted institutions have just been issued :
Costaurraz Or Vismuns.—The increase in the number
of pauper patients from the county, which was remarked
on in the last annual report, has continued and even been
exceeded in the year just closed. The following tabular
statement will give the numbers at the commencement
and the close o IWS
Total paupers front Use county— Male Fem. Tot.
In the asylum January lot, 1875 .. 156 172 328
AdmiUed in 1875 . . . 35 26 61

M. V. T. 191 198 38D
Discharged in the year . . 15 12 27
Died in the year .. ... 11 12 23 _ . _

20 2,1 50

--
Remaining in the aayl,una Jan. lit, KO 115 171 339
Osavotisay petivats—
In the &alums Jan., 18/5. . 5,3 79 131
Admissions in 105 ... 2 9 11

K. v. 7.
Disclaimed 2 6 8
Lied . . 6 3

67 SS 145

- 9 17
49 75 128
Non-paupers
In the asylums Jan., 187 i... 16 11 27
Admiagiona in 1873 ... 3 3 6

19 ii Zi
I)ischarged 5 7
Died ... ... 2 I :I

I 6 10
In the asylums lit January 1117 ti . . . 15 8 Z 3

•;roes total in the two uyluniclst Jan., 76 229 261 4911

--
This shows an increase of only one upon the whole
number in detention. The large increase of county
patients, which is 11, being counterbalanced by • reduc-
tion of six in the out-county patients, and of four in the
non-pauper class. In consequence of the pressure of
admissions from the county, which in the last quarter
amounted to no less a number than 24, notice has been
given that no more patients can be admitted under the
contract from Southampton, and four of the non-paupers
from other counties have been removed to the Hereford
County Asylum. The non-pauper class is now composed,
with one exception, of Dorsetshire patients, and it is the
intention of the Visitors to make no further admissions
from other counties.

The proportion of recoveries to admissions is not quite
so high this year as last, being at the rate of 41 per cent.
instead of 46 per cent. The deaths have been more
numerous, nearly 7 per cent, on the number of inmates,
instead of about 44 per cent, last year ; but the death rate
is not above the general average of lunatic asylum; and
the proportion of recoveries is favourable in comparison
with the returns of most counties. The health of the
patients has been good throughout the year. One inquest
only has been held, when a verdict of accidental death
was returned ; no accident of any serious importance has
occurred.

The Uedical Superintendent, whose experience now
extends over a period of 21 years, continues to discharge
his resp_onsible and onerous duties with the full approval
all the Ifisiton.

—After the frequent changes that have taken place in the
medical staff, we are glad to report that the same efficient
officers—Mr. Gillespie and Mr. Bland—continue in the
service of the county, with much satisfaction to the
Visitors and the superintendent
The chaplain shows the same zeal and diligence in
attending to the spiritual needs of the inmates, and he
has lately established classes for reading and religious
Instruction, which are productive of much good to the
servants and patients.
The Head Male Attendant has recently left, and he
has been succeeded by one of the attendants in charge at
Forston, in whom the Superintendent has confidence.
The Matron at Charminster being now relieved of a
part of her duties after • long service, in consequence of
advancing years, is still of much use in the control of the
(emelt, department and the stores.

Miss Cahwrlgbt, the Matron a Torsion, whose recent
appointment was noticed in the last report, has fully
justified the favourable report then entertained of her
qualifications for her office.
The conduct of the attendants and servants has been
generally good.
The two institutions, when visited every two months
in accordance with the requirement of the Statute, and
at other times, have been found in good order, and the
building and premises in good repair and condition.
The mortuary Chapel was consecrated by the Bishop of
the Diocese on the 12th of January.
The Maintenance Rate, which had been fixed at Is. 24.
per day for the first and third quarters of the year, and
at Is. Id. for the second quarter, was raised to Is. IC for
the quarter ending December last.
The increase in the rate has been mainly occasioned by
the rise in the wages of the attendants and servants;
from 10 to 20 per cent, made in the third quarter of the
year. The difficulty of obtaining fit and proper persons
far these somewhat painful and troublesome duties has
Men considerably lessened, but the applicants for employ-
ment are not as yet so numerous or so well qualified as
sould be desired.

—The Asylums were visited by two of the Commissioners
in Lunacy on the 20th August last They speak with
satisfaction of the general state of the asylums, and of
the orderly conduct, with two or three exceptions, of all
the patient' in both asylums. They make several ra.x,m.
mendations in regard I. the management and to
structural arrangements. Many of these are occupying
the attention of the Committee, with • view to their
being carried out; and the substitution of sash windows
and wooden floors for the circular openings and tiles,
would have been proceeded with, had not the pressure
upon the accommodation been so great. It is hoped,
however, that early in the coming spring the work may
be completed. In regard to one recommendation, that
all the epileptic patients should be placed together in one
dormitory at night, for the purpose of more continuous
supervision, the Committee do not see their way to a
satisfactory arrangement. The wards as at present con-
stituted would not readily admit of such a classification,
and the visitors are disposed to think that the keeping
the epileptic patients together by day as well as night,
and separate from the other inmates, which would
necessarily follow, would be likely to affect them un-
favourably, and would be generally unadvisable.
Gratuities of .f. 50 and £2O have been awarded from the
Surplus Fund to the Medical Superintendent and the
Clerk respectively, for extra work in connection with the
out-county and non-pauper patients, and a gratuity each
to the two medical assistants, for their diligent attention
to their duties.
. .

-17117de-t7t7lTersed on the County Hate stood as follows
at the close of the county financial year at Michaelmas :
.ff
Amount of money borrowed on Mortgage of the }County Rate
41.000
Paid off from County Mates .
Ditto from Surplus Fund of the Asylum 6,400
—0

Leaving a Debt on the I:ounty at Michaelmas

Since which a further suni of £1,200 has been paid to the
County Treasurer by the Visitors of the Asylum, making
• sum of .C 7,800 paid over from the Surplus Fund in aid
of the County Rate. - .

JOHN FLOTER, Chainasa.

•
MEDICAL SUPERINTENDF3T.-00 the let of January,
1875, there were in the two Asylums 402 pauper and out-
county patienta-211 males and 251 females ; and 27 non.
pauper or private-10 males and 11 females ; of the above.
152 male and 172 female paupers were from our own county,
the others from Southampton, Portsmouth. and Poole.
The general health and condition of the patients has
been satisfactory, no epidemic and only one accident of
any importance having occurred.
I have now completed 21 years' service ad your Medical
Superintendent, and therefore I thought • retrospect of
the work during that period might not be out of place,
giving as it does the admisaions, the per-centage, of
recoveries, and also that of the deaths, reckoned on the
average number resident; in addition the table will, I
hope, prove that a weekly charge- neither too high or
extravagant—is by no means incompatible with a fair
average rate of recoveries, and a low one of mortality.
In the year 1863, 1865, 196. 1870, 1871, and 1872, we
admitted so large an extra number of patients, all of whom
were fairly to he considered incurable, that it brought our
rate of Recoveries abnormally low, so that for those
years I have computed them in an additional column.
leaving out entirely admitted from out-counties, but even
now admitting 1111 we do from Southampton, Portsmouth.
and Poole, patients who have been too frequently kept
under treatment in the Union House, in some instances
months, before being sent here, tends, as this additional
column proves, materially to lessen the per mintage of
recoveries—whereas, in the years 1873 and 1575, when roast
eases were sent at once, they tended I. and did increase
Instead of diminish them.
The death rate for the II years has beau 05 per oent
This is low, and one cannot help being truly thankful.
The ages of those who died were 40 under 30 years, 83
between 30 and 40, 80 between 40 and 50,74 between 50

and 00, 81 between 03 and 70, 80 between 70 and go. 12
between RO and 90. and one over 90 years of age.
The general routine of the Asylums, continuing so much
alike year %icor year, calls for no lengthened remarks.
The chang. s among the attendants, nurses, and servants
have not bean more than might beexpected—the love of
variety -a a ioh to see the world—a more roarning pro-
pensity, and generally a restless spirit seems to pervade
those claims from which we derive our help; should this
continue there will be only one consolatory set-off. /IA was
aptly mentioned a few weeks since, that there will be no
oil servants requinng pensions. But many of the old and
highly-valued servants do still remain, greatly to the com-
fort and happiness of us all. Both my assistant medical
tiMeers are still with rue, and I record my esteem and
th4nkfulnees with great and unfeigned pleasure. To the
chaplain also 1 am much indebted for all his attention to
the patients ; and his great help in instructing the glee
dames, thus making a great addition to our concerts, I
have more than mini acknowledged.
Our other amusements and occupation continue as before
the large and constant supply of papers—in mane Cases
gratuitious —as well as several very nice present of books,
are still thankfully appreciated.
After so long a service ill the asylum. I cannot help
recalling how much I owe to the ever ready, kind and
friendly help and advice you have afforded me, and how
utterly impossible it would have been te have carried out
the multifarious duties without this; and whilst it is
entirely against all probabilities that I can look forward
to a much lengthened service, yet I hope and believe you
will kindly extend to lee—never more needed—that same
support and assistance ; with this I humbly trust still to
enjoy and merit your confidence and approbation.
J. CUSTAVUS Sling, Medical Superintendent.
CIIAPLAIN.—Divine Service has been held for four times
a-week at Charminster Forston Asylums, at which services
the attendance of the patients has been very regular, their
behaviour and attention most preiseworthe. and the
number similar to thet of last year.
1 have also give Scriptural readings and expositions
every Sunday afternoon in the reading-room, chiefly for
the benefit of those patients who are not able to attend the
Cliapel. At them meetings questions are allowed to he
askei I and a little reasonable diecussion ; and lam glad to be
able to testify to the satisfactory results of those gather-
ings. The average attendance on the male side has been
from ift to 51. The Lady whom I mentioned in toy report
for last year, kat very kindly continued to hold her
Sunday Afternoon Meetings on the female side of the
Institution, to whom patients and myself wish to render
our deep gratitude.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper has been adminis-
tered on the first Sunday in each month.
I have continued my weekly visits to the l'atienta in
their wards, and have been received (without anexcep-
tion) with much respect and kindness. They seem very
thankful for say exertion made for their spiritual or
temporal comfort.
Sacred singing classes have been held, as usual, twice &-
week, t.e. on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Owing
to the late change in female attendants, I had almost
despaired of being able to re-form • glee clam, but am
glad to say that within the past few weeks some fresh
volunteers have comae forward and acquitted themselves
very creditably at the practices.
Through the energy and good judgmen+ Mr. Stones,
we have had several very successful ,s....sminments of
late, which have • Moughlv appreciated he the
inhabitants of each breech of the Asylum.
The Wanls have been adequately supplied with all
necessary Newspapers, and Books have been provided for
my distribution by Mr. Symes.
The Mortuary Chapel and Burial Ground at Ohanninster
were consecrated by the Bishop of the Diocese on the 19th
of January last, Since that date the bodies of 22 patients
have been interred. The funerals has e been coeducted
by the Attendants in the most respectful manner. In all
burials where the relations of the patients have been
present, they have expressed their gratitude for the satis-
factory manner in which the funeral arrangement,' for
their departed friends have been carried out.
I have again to thank you for your continued kindness
and support' also the Medical Superintendent and
Assistant Medical Officers for their help in anything
when occasion has required that I should apply to them
for it, in the various duties included in my peculiar
charge.
WiLLIAM EVANS.
0011111/1810Y11411 LUIIACT.—There are 498 patients
now on the books. They are thus divided :
MALL TOTAL.
MID 459
17 50

Paupers
Private