The Sun. — 1850-09-10 (London, England)

BRUTAL TREATMENT OF AN INSANE PAUPER.  Yesterday an inquest, adjourned from Thursday last, was taken by Mr. H. M. Wakley, deputycoroner, at the Elephant and Castle, Camden-town, on the body of Louisa Grey, aged 42, an insane pauper in St.lPancras Workhouse, whose death was alleged to have resulted from the ill-treatment she had undergone whilst an inmate in the above workhouse.  The evidence of a daughter of the deceased went P to prove that her mother bad been in the workhouse near twelve months, and that in March last she was placed in the insane ward by the surgeon, on the ground that she was not right in her intellects. Deceased made frequent complaints of ill-usage from the nurse of the ward, and a patient named Ann Bryan. On one occasion, on visiting her mother, she said she was a murdered woman, and that Bryan had brutally struck her over the body and legs with a large stick ; she was covered with bruises all over; deceased also said she had been repeatedly kicked by tKo of the male pauper assistants who came to remove her from one ward to another. On one occasion she took deceased some food, when the nurse threw it, and other things belonging to ber mother, on the sanded floor. The nurse appeared to be under the fluence of liquor, and it was remarked by persons visiting the ward that she was constantly drunk. Deceased was not right in her mind, but after the ill-usage she received from the nurse and Bryan she became very much worse. Mr. J. Erichson, surgeon to University College Hospital, said he had made an examination of the body of deceased. There were bruises on the shoulder, back, and legs, together with some large bed-sores on the posteriors and back. On opening the head, he found the brain much thickened, an appearance usually found in insane persons. The other organs of the body were generally healthy. In his opinion the deceased died from exhaustion, from the bed-sores, and disease of the brain. The marks of violence on the body had nothing to do with her death.  Mr. C. Robinson, surgeon to St. Pancras Workhouse, said he had attended the deceased since March last, when he bad her placed in the insane ward, which is occupied by refractory, idiotic, and epileptic patients. Whilst an inmate of the ward, a quarrel took place between the deceased and a person named Bryan, when the latter seized a stick, and struck deceased repeatedly over the legs. On the occurrence coming to his knowledge he instantly removed deceased to another ward, and had Bryan placed under restraint. Deceased was afterwards brought back to No. 1, the insane ward, which contained 26 patients, with three nurses. The nurse of which deceased had complained is named Marlow,and he must say that she is not a very eligible person to fill the situation, as she is given to drink. He had frequently written to the board of guardians on the inefficient manner in which the duties of nurses in the infirmary were performed, and the propriety of having paid servants. Marlow was discharged from her situation in a day or two afterwards, on account of her conduct. lie saw deceased daily, and was aware she had some bedsores, but_he could not prevent them, not having a water-bed in the workhouse, which he had frequently asked for, and the subject was now under the consideration of the board of guardians. The CORONER observed that there was something wrong in the management of St. Pancras Workhouse ; it was quite evident, as incompetent nurses were employed; and from what had lately come under his no. tice he thought it high time that a system of paid nurses was introduced.  The jury, after a short consultation, returned the following verdict :—" That the deceased died from exhaustion, and the jury cannot separate without expressing their opinion that the deceased has not been properly treated while in the insane ward ; that she has been violently assaulted by the nurse, and also by one of the insane patients ; and the jury recommend the guardians to furnish more efficient nurses, and a separate ward for the refractory patients, and also that water-beds should be provided for patients having bed-sores."