The Birkenhead News and Wirral General Advertiser. — 1892-08-06 (Birkenhead, Merseyside, England)

VISITS TO CHESTS& ASYLUM.  WIRRAL GUARDIANS.  "I don't think any country is so far advanced as England in the matter of the treatment of lunatics." Thus spoke Dr. j. H. Davidson, medical superintendent of Chester County Asylum, to a deputation of the Wirral Guardisms on Wednesday last. He had just remarked on the change that had come about In the treatment of insane persons, and after mentioning that the chains, strait waistcoats, and other hard instruments of a mistaken age were kept upstairs as curious relics, the doctor explained the mode of dealing with the people who had lost their reason. He said, "We give them as mach liberty now as is consistent with their safety and the public safety." Instead of being confined in prison-like premises whose windows are all barred, as was the case when Dr. Davidson took charge of the Chester institution a quarter of a century ago, the inmates now mingle together freely, chatting and playing in remarkably well lighted and brightly decorated premises, of course under the watchful eyes of many attendants. Draughts, cards, and other games are played by some with zest, and theatrical performances and other entertainments are often carried out with enthusiasm by these poor beings whose reason from some cause or other is stunted or deranged. The whole of the place, which is very large, accommodating at present 292 males and 310 females, is painted in light colours, thisvrork being done by the patients, under the 'direction of one paid painter. No compulsion is used at all except when a "suicide" is determined to starve himself and than the stomach pump has to be used for feeding purposes. The patients are induced to work by receiving an extra allowance of _bread and cheese or whatever is on the bill of fare. The asylum has a pretty little chapel in the grounds where services are held on Sunday by the Church of England chaplain and by the Roman Catholic priest at stated times. The medical snperinteudent states that the number of admissions has increased alarmingly during the past year, and notwithstanding that a dozen patients have been transferred to the Maoolesfield institution the house is almost full to overflowing. Lunacy appeared to be increasing, he said, for similar increases had taken place all over the country. In 1891, the admissions averaged about fourteen a month, and as the asylum now has only seven empty beds in the female infirmars it is evident that some extension will have to be carried out. Fortunately the institution stands in the centre of • large plot of its own grounds which is now worked successfully as a farm mainly by the patients. Daring last year the highest number whose illness was due to one cause was 37, all brought to insanity by intemperance. The number of patients in the asylum from the Wirral Union is 32, half of whom are women. For the maintenance of these patients the Union pays now at the rate of Is. per head per day. The deputation of Guardians interviewed the whole of their patients, not forgetting one young woman, who declares vehemently that she is first cousin to the Queen, and also paying a visit to the woman of commanding presence and a well cultivated beard who is always convinced that she is no one else but Queen Victoria. The constant companion of the latter is a "titled lady," according to her own statement, and frequent quarrels take place between them. One of the poor men when asked where became from declared he was a single child and had no father nor mother I The males were thoughtfully remembered by the Guardians, who handed each a packet of tobacco, offering the females some confectionery, with which they all seemed pleased. Before leaving the asylum a report was inserted in the book, stating that while some of the patients sp. peared to be worse in health, they all appeared to be clean and well cared for. This was signed by the Guardians present, Messrs. N. Grundy (chairman), T. Davies, H. A. Latham, H. Simpson, C. Morris, R. Kellett, W. Knowles, with the clerk, Mr. J. E. S. 011ive. The company also included Mr. W. L. Richards, master at the Clatterbridge Workhouse. The Guardians combined business with pleasure, and after duly performing their duty of visiting the asylum, they drove to the Talbot Hotel where a substantial meal was disposed of. After doing justice to the dinner and the toast list the party proceeded to the river and boarded a steamer for the pretty village of Eceleston. The Duke of Westminster's fine gronnds surrounding his equally fine residence Eaton Hall, were next visited, and a pleasant little open air tea party on the banks of the Dee wound up the enjoyable picnic. The party re. turned to the City by the steamer and now experienced the first bit of bad weather encountering a short shower. The railway station was reached via the Park, the 8-30 being the train utilised for the homeward journey.