The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-08 00:00:00

COPY OF LETTER FROM THE MARQUIS OF NORMANBY

TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOSPITALS.

Whitehall, Jan. 4. 1841.
Sir—ln forwarding to you, according to your re-
quest, for the information of the Governors of Bethlein
Hospital, the report of the medical gentlemen ap-
pointed by me to inquire into the condition of the luna-
tics in the criminal wing of that hospital, I think it
right to accompany that document with a few observa-
tions which have occurred to me on a very attentive
perusal of all the evidence taken in the course of the

inquiry.
It must no doubt be satisfactory to the Governors
that the two physicians charged with this inquiry, who
have had so much experience, should express them-
selves in terms of so decided approbation of the greater
part of the general arrangements of the establishment.
It does not appear, from the exatninatibn of Mr.
Darby Shelley by the physicians, that he had felt, the
change of room at all as a hardship, having merely
complained to them of necessary restraint, of quite a
different description.
As, however, this investigation originated in a letter
from the Governors to me, complaining in strong lan-
guage of a statement made by Mr. Sergeant Adams, I
cannot quit this part of the subject without stating can-
didly my impression, that if Mr. Sergeant Adams was
led into error (as it now appears that he was), this was
entirely owing to the conduct of one of the servants of
the establishment ; and that it was most, natural that he
should leave the hospital on that day with the impres-
sion that a state of things existed which demanded in-
quiry, and, if proved, correction.
It is impossible, I think, to read the evidence of
Joseph Fellows, and believe it to be founded upon an
accurate recollection of what actually passed between
him and Mr. Sergeant Adams. It seems rather-as if,
having no very distinct impression on the subject, he
had adapted it to what be afterwards thought he ought
to have said. He states, for instance, that in "conclu-
sion," and "as a second cause of confinement," he had
mentioned " his attempt to strike one of the officers."
Can any one doubt that Mr. Sergeant Adams' recollec-
tion is correct, and that he then named the officer
threatened ? How, otherwise, should Mr. Sergeant
Adams have known who it was ? The same keeper's
action in applying his key would have naturally led to
the conclusion that the door was locked ; and the fair
inference from his direct, though somewhat ambiguous,
answer to the Sergeant's question would be, that the
patient had been in that department or cell for the time
he stated. _ _ _ _ _

The Governors will rejoice that the result of this in-
quiry must be, to impress upon the servants a more
universal knowledge of the very proper distinction taken
by the medical men, confirmed by themselves, and, I
believe, acted upon generally by the officers, between
necessary control or restraint, and arbitrary punishment.
I cannot omit this opportunity of impressing upon

. _
the Governors the want of sufficient means of em-
ployment which appears to be felt in the criminal wing,
particularly among the female patients, who, by the
matron's account, seem sometimes to have very little
to do. It would be desirable that they should have a
regular supply of work suitable to their sex.
The construction of the apartments in which Shel-
ley was placed seems very objectionable, inasmuch as
it was in utter darkness, or without any protection from
the weather.
While approving much of the new rule of nightly
reports of restraint, I certainly feel some surprise that
it should not have been earlier in practice in so well-
established an asylum ; as, from my, personal inspection
of many similar institutions in this country -and Ire-
land, I believe it to be in very general use as a most
salutary check upon abuses, to which all authority over
those whose want of reason deprives them of the power
of appeal must be peculiarly subject.
I quite feel, at the same time, that the violent dis-
position (as shown by their offences) of those confined
in the criminal wing makes it absolutely necessary to
take every precaution for the safety of those in whose
charge they are.
I do not think it necessary in this stage of the busi-
ness to enter into the question between the Governors
and Mr. Sergeant Adams, as to the mode of conducting
the inquiry ; but I should strongly recommend that
that gentleman should be especially invited to attend at
the meeting at which the physicians' report is made.—
I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient
humble servant,

_ ,
NORMANB Y.
To Sir Peter Laurie, &c. &c. &e., 7, Park-square.

COPY OF LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT TO THE
• MARQUIS OF NORMANBY.
Park-square, Jan. 5, 1841.
My Lord—l have the honour to acknowledge the
receipt of your Lordship's letter, with the report of the
physicians appointed to, inquire into the treatment of
the patients in the criminal wing at Bethlem Hospital.
I shall lay the report, with your Lordship's observa-
tions, before a Committee of Governors on the 12th
inst., and before the General Court on the 25th inst.,
to which Mr. Sergeant Adams will be summoned as a
Governor of the Hbspital, and I am convinced that it
will afford them great pleasure to hear the very satis-
factory report which Dr. Mayo and Dr. Southey have
drawn up.— I have the honour to be, my Lord, your
Lordship's most obedient servant.
P. LAURIE, President.
The Most Honourable the Marquis of
Normanby, &c. &e. &c.
When it was resolved—That this Committee receives
with very great satisfaction the report of Dr. Mayo and
Dr. Southey, and they will, with as little delay aPpos-
sible, take measures for carrying into effect the recom-
mendation of the physicians as to the increased means
of employment for the patients generally.
And it was further resolved—That the Report in
question be printed and circulated among the Gover-
nors, with the ensuing Court summons, and that it be
taken into consideration at the next Court.