The Sun. — 1847-01-26 (London, England)

CAMBERWELL-HOUSE LUNATIC  ASYLUM.  In consequence of the want of room and proper accommodation for lunatics in the workhouses of the metropolis, and throughout the country generally, the above establishment, standing upon ten acres of ground, tastefully fitted up, was licensed and opened about twelve months since, for the reception of pauper lunatics, for whom the several parishes_ pay so much per week for their keep, clothing, &c. The asylum is built for 300 patients, male and female, and there are already 270 within its walls, under the care of Mr. J. 11. Paul, the resident medical superintendent, and Mr.J. F. Reece, resident surgeon, exclusive of Dr. Dickson, the visiting physician. The system of treatment is quite opposed to that severe restraint to which lunatics were formerly subjected, and which, instead of abating, aggravated, and often confirmed permanently, the fearful malady of its sufferers. In Camberwell-House, mildness, kind treatment, generous living, and the abolition, as much as possible, of all personal or bodily restraint, are the means adopted, and most successfully, to compose and Booth its afflicted patients, and to restore reason to its throne. During the day the patients are allowed to roam at pleasure, under the supervision of well-disciplined keepers, throughout the extensive grounds, and when fatigued from exercise, or if they wish it, they have large spacious halls, to which they may retire and enjoy themselves as their whims suggest. In the men's day-room there is a large billiard-table, and in the women's room a bagatelle-board, with which they amuse themselves. Besides which there is a library well stocked with general and popular literature, and the several newspapers, but from the latter the slightest allusion to suicide is cut out, lest it might suggest the idea of self-destruction. Once a week, during the last few months, the patients have had a dance, in which the males and females joined, one of their companions playing the violin, which he does remarkably well. The dance is invariably conducted in the presence of the medical officers, or of Mr. Gibson, the steward. This amusement had such beneficial effects upon the inmates, that the heads of the asylum resolved to give them a public ball and supper, which they did on Thursday last. On that occasion the gentry of the neighbourhood were invited to attend. The hall in which the ball came off was most tastefully festooned with flags, banners, artificial flowers, &c. At one end, and over the orchestra, was a likeness of her Majesty, with a tastefully decorated crown suspended above, and encircled with a scroll inscribed with the words, " Long may she live." The floor was handsomely chalked by the patients, who described upon it the royal arms, those of the Prince of Wales surmounted by the plume of feathers, and several other national devices. Shortly after seven o'clock the ball-room was opened to visitors, and at half-past seven the inmates, male and female, headed by the medical officers, and accompanied by their keepers, entered the room, and, having taken their seats, the musicians commenced playing the most enlivening airs, which afforded great delight to, the patients, who evinced their pleasure by their gestures and their beating time to the music with their feet. The visitors and patients then partoo{r of coffee together. The latter were not only exceedingly. mild in their demeanour, but joined with the greatest earnestness in the general conversation of the evening ; and this, although there were amongst them men and women who were the most violent when they first entered the asylum, and some, who had even several times attempted suicide. Coffee over, the dance commenced, in which the medical gentlemen and their ladies, and the visitors, had, as their partners, the patients. The correctness with which the inmates went through the several figures, and the mazes of the dance, was truly extraordinary. Having indulged in the amusement to a very late hour, supper was served up to the visitors and the patients, who, having done ample justice to the good things provided for them, the latter retired to their apartments, highly delighted with the pleasures in which they had participated, and with countenances beaming with gratitude to those who so kindly afforded them an opportunity of enjoying themselves. The visitors were astonished at the pleasing spectacle which they had witnessed, and expressed an ardent wish that they would soon again enjoy a similar exhibition. Dr. Dickson and Mr. Paul assured them that they would, as they were fully convinced that nothing was so eminently calculated to restore their afflicted patients to their senses and society, than such indulgences and relaxations. What a contrast to the bolts, the bars, the chains, and corporal punishment which were formerly resorted to, for the purpose of frightening (that must have been the object), insanity out of lunatics, although bitter and melancholy experience proved that such an iron-and-chain sytem had quite the opposite effect.— _Dispatch.