The Express.
London, England, 1849-01-04 00:00:00

FISHPONDS LUNATIC ASYLUM.

The question of the alleged mismanagement of the
Fishponds Lunatic Asylum, near Bristol, came before the G lou
cestershire Olson of Onarer liapions on Tuesday last. Amore
the magistrates present were the Duke of B'autort, Earl
Dottie, Lard Moreton, Viscount Cembermere, Sir J. Guise, and
Eat Fitshudinge. Peen, II Beansby Purnell, E.q., the
chairman of the court, presided. It should be stated
that, at the Midsummer Ruston. 1848, Dr. Bumps; pro.
orietor of the Fishponds Lunatic Asylum (a private esta.
blishment fur the treatment of insane person.), made ..is
customary annual application to the court of quarter sessions
for a license for his establishment. At that time certain
allegations of mismanagement having been made by the
visiting justices to the asylum and the oommissieners in
lunacy, it was resolved to grant the Ifeense only for six
months, on the understanding that at the present Epiphaoy
Sessions Dr. Bompas should retire from the management of
the asylum. However at the last (Michaelmas) sessions,
Dr. Bonspu renewed his application to the court, when, after
a very protracted discussion, it was resolved that the
whole of the visitors to the lunatic asylums of the county
shooli be appointed a committee to cenduet en official in-
quiry into the management of the asylum and the treatment
et the unfortunates confined there, and to make their report
at the present sessions. The inquiry was accordingly con-
demned near the spot, and the evidence then taken his been
slue printed.
On the mars coming before the court en Tuesday, it was
ansosseed se a result ot the late inqniry that Dr. Bompas
had rellestadead his intention of applying for a license, and
that the present ts for the homes ha the same
asylum were Mn. Bampas, mother of Dr. Bompas Mr.
Charles Smith Bompas. brother of Dr. Boost. and Mr.
Nagasaki Beath, ~rested with the same family.l Mr.
Smith and Mr. Smith Elsages were then brit fly examined as
to their esaMilestions, and flair testimonials were produced.
—The chairman then read the report of the committee of
visitors appointed to make the official ir.quiey. The report
stated that the committee met on the 19 k November last at
Lswiord'agate Prison, and thence adj.:nutted to Dr. Borapas's
establishment, where they inspected the whole capacities and
acconamalations of the place. On Nov. 22, they commenced
taking evidence, and continued the inquiry day by disy up to
the 2nd December inclusive, and the evidence had been
printed. (A copy was produced; it was &formidable "blue
book." some two inches in thfrkses) The report then re
forted to the 'steadied application by Mrs. Bows, Mr. C.
Smith Bompas, aid Mr. N. Smith, for a limas, and spoke
honourably of the applicants. Mr. Smith, on whom the
chief reepolutbility of the establishment would rest, was
consulting surgeon to the Bristol Infirmary, and had prase.
Sassily visited the asylum during the superintendence of
Dr. Hoops. The committee, therefore, had no hesitation
in recommending that, as Dr. Bompas had withdrawn his
intention of apply ing for a renewal of the license, the new
Neese be grantid to the three aWioants, Mn. Bump's, Mr.
C. 8 Bompas, and Mr. N. Smith, en condition that the
latter do k ep a medical journal and case book, and rolularlir
eater it up himself.—The Charism then read some extracts
hem the minutes entered to thejournal oldie asylum, which
showed a sta'a of things malting amendment. The apgi
cation of the three parties to keep the asylum jointly
was then taken into onsideration by the court, and after a
discussion it war resolved to grant the license as prayed.--
The start then took into consideration the question of the
apportionment of the expenses of the late inquiry, in the
douse of which it transpired that the expenses of the inves-
tigation amounted to 1,2154 10s. id., the investigation having
occupied eleven days. This included the met of printing the
evidence.—The Cashman afterwards addressed the court at
considerable length on the eirciunstacces attending the recent
inquiry, and related some extraordinary instances ot misma-
nagement which had mate to his knowledge as havirg oc.
curred in other lunatic asylums in this county, and which
had come to light through the minutes of the viiit3re and
lunacy commissioners. He also read to the court the
statements of certain parties in relation thereto,
which will form the subject of future inquiry at
quarter sessions to be hereafter held.—Mr. Smith, one of
the intended lessees of the Fishponds Asylum, having, in an-
swer to questions put to him by the court, stated that he
could sot take up his residence at thpaitylam, nor sad he
undertake to visit the establishment daily, a Measles took
plow at to whether, ander these cireamsesses, the license
&sight for ought to be grentsd.—The Dake of Beaufort
thought th 4 unless Mr. Smith would visit the asylum daily,
the establishment would not be under effickat maaagement.
Subsequently, hie Grace said that although he should have
preferred that Mr. Smith should actually reside on the spot,
yet he would not press that point, the majority of the court
appearing sati•fied.—After some further remarks from other
magistrate 5, it was P.naPy resolved to grant the license to the
three petitioners for thirteen months.
The magistrates having strived at their decision upon this
ease, we append a report of poetises of the evidence address'
rliir the inquiry—reports received by us at the time the
aleilons were merle, bet withheld from publication until
the magistrates had concluded their investigation. It may
be stated that at the first meeting of the Justices the inquiry
was first directed at great length to the mode in which Dr.
Bumps, had kept kis book in which it was alleged that he
had sot entered the particulars be was required to insert of
the cams and of the medicines given by him. He did not
dos, that he h d not made soma of the entries at the time,
and that he had not mole entries of Ma almost. of patients
and medicines given • bat aid the cues in question were
mei, ins nit Zasing reference to the insanity of the
n i• s f end he considered that the entries be was
required to make wire merely these referring to the treat-