The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-03-07 00:00:00

THE STOVIIIIIIIDGE

--
1 testatrix intend that the devise of her real re-
THE TREATMENT OF LUNATICS. I siduary estate should not be for the benefit of
The law of the present day with regard to the the Messrs. Badley. The second was—Did
custody and care of lunatics is vastly improved those gentlemen, by promises expressed or im
compared with the lunacy laws of the past gene-
-
plied, or by silent acquiescence in her intention.
ration; but we fear there is still very much need mad her to believe they would perform any
charitable trusts reposed in them. On the first
of reform. The Commissioners of Lunacy are
question the evidence led his lordship to the
scarcely likely to be able to grapple with all the
conclusion that the testatrix intended to give,
wrongs of the unhappy creatures who have lost
their reason, or, still worse, of those who are
confined in readhousee when they ought to be . estate to the defendants upon charitable trusts.
and believed she had given the residuary real
free ; but the public cannot but give tho Com-
missioners credit for endeavouring, to perform ' that the testatrix knew little of Mr. Badley, the
, As to the second question, althoug,h it was clear
their arduous duties. The was to be iuferred that in associating him with
case that has just I
been tried at the Hertford Assizes was most
son, and had made no communication to him. it
his father elle thought she had appointed a per-
properly undertaken, and we think has been
son who would be uuder his influence and direc-
righteomAy decided.
tion. The evidence had established to the sat-
Mr. Shaw, a surgeon, was charged with having
isfaction of his lordship that the testatrix had
taken charge of a lunatic patient, Mrs. Weston,
communicated the contents of her will to Mr.
for profit, without the certificate of two medical
Badley. and that he did not deny her intention
men as to her being insane, and without an
that some part of the property devised should
order by her relative for her being placed in
b
his charg, and without having a house licensed be applied in charity. Moreover, he had admit-
ted his own intention to carry out her anthenti-
for the purpose. There was no dispute as to
Mrs. Weston being insane, but there was evi- cated wishes in that behalf. Although it could
not be shown that he distinctly promised taper.
deuce as to her having been cruelly treated by
defendant, inasmuch as, though she was a lady form her intention, it must be taken that she
believed him to have silently acquiesced in her
of position and respectability,
in menial and revolting offices. But to the con
she was employed
_ purpose; and his lordship expressed his belief
that in accordance with this Mr. Badley was
duct of this Mr. Shaw towards a gentleman
named (Mode was far worse. The latter had doing all he could to perform faithfully the
wishes of the testatrix. Under all the circam-
filled a good position in Windsor, and at one
stances lee pronounced for the plaintiffs. The
time was Mayor of the town. Although Shaw
defendants, Messrs. Badley, now appealed.
received 1:12O a year with this unhappy inmate
Sir H. Palmer and Mr. Millar for the appel.
of the private and unlicensed madhouse, the
lents, and Mr. Jesse', Mr. Baggelly, Mr. Peck,
wretched man was found "lying on a straw mat.
and Mr. Sargent for other parties.
tress in tke back kitchen, with no other cover-
The Lord Chancellor said he would consider
Mg but a piece of old carpet, and the mattress
was completely rotted with his own filth." the case.
Well might the Lord Chief Justice in passing a
heavy sentence sentence of flue and imprisonment say
that such conduct was a disgrace to any man
eu'erahgeh,dheactiewioensaihnteitthtihs
calling himself a Christian.
ate
tahs
ee
liasaaseayti sl
af sweat orrey.
quire further aniendinent. The mere certificate
of two medical men is not a sufficient guarantee
for the liberty of the subject as against the
conspiracy which relatives may at any time enter
into to incarcerate a man or woman in a prison.
madhouse. We would abolish all private mad.
houses, amid have all the institutions for the re-

ception of the insane placed under a system of
more efficient inspection and control than they
are at present. In the case of Mr. Shaw it was
only when the Commissioners in Lunacy were
somehow or other told of the sufferings of the

two persons that they sent two doctors to see
about it. This in itsel is a proof of reform
being sorely needed.