MENTAL DEBILITY.

Back View of Manor Cottage, King's Road, Chelsea.

THIS Establishment, which is for the reception of Ladies only, has, for many years, been in considerable repute as a select and cheerful residence for the mentally infirm. The cottage (rendered intentionally as unlike an Asylum as possible) has at the back perfectly secluded and extensive Pleasure Gardens, and is the unassuming residence of a Medical Gentleman, whose Lady, devoted to the duties of rural and domestic life, receives (on reasonable terms) under her own personal Care and Superintendence a limited number of Females afflicted with Mental Debility.

It will not be denied that *at home* a Patient must be subject to much excitement; often indeed causing, but in every case preventing the cure of, this distressing malady.

In private lodgings the constant and only society of a Keeper must be very distressing, and becomes, without doubt, a source itself of excitement, and aggravates the disease it was designed to remedy.

A better plan (if it were practicable) would be to send the invalid on a visit to a friend, of sufficient nerve and ability for the duty, who would hide the constant Keeper in the agreeable Companion; but how rare to find a friend capable and willing to take so responsible and unpleasant a charge! This Mr. and Mrs. MULLINS are desirous of effecting, and would impress on the minds of the Relatives of the afflicted, that Patients are admitted to a residence under the same roof with them, on the principle of being considered as Private Boarders, and are treated in the most liberal and conciliatory manner. The utmost latitude and freedom consistent with the nature of the malady being ever studiously afforded, the patient in consequence soon becomes satisfied that her residence is among friends; while the pleasing idea of being on a visit often becomes permanent and beneficial.

Thus the care of the Patient is here intrusted to those really interested in her welfare; whose time is devoted to the study and treatment of her particular case; and who will faithfully attend to every instruction and suggestion of the consulting physician or surgeon; whose experience also in the Management of the Insane, ensures a far greater chance of recovery (if curable), and the enjoyment of far greater comfort and indulgence (if incurable), than can be possibly attained in the much greater seclusion of private lodgings.

In private lodgings the periodical, and, as it were, momentary visit of the physician, can have, during his subsequent long absence, little influence in securing for the Patient kind and indulgent treatment from the Keeper; and the visits of friends may be injurious; "thus the power (as the late Dr. Gooch observes) of controlling the Patient even by force, is placed not in the hands of enlightened and benevolent persons, but of uneducated menials. I do not know (continues this celebrated physician) how it can be otherwise, though I wish it could." In private lodgings it cannot, it is feared, be otherwise, but it is trusted that in the HOME offered in Manor Cottage, the wish of this benevolent practitioner is completely realized in the treatment and attentions afforded to the mentally infirm.

By a recent addition to the dwelling-house, the greatest attention to the classification and perfect separation of the patients can, when necessary, be effected: it should however be mentioned, that the constantly noisy Patient cannot on any terms be admitted.

The late Lord Chancellor instituted an inquiry into the relative number of cures in Private Asylums and Private Lodgings, and found it much in favour of Private Asylums. And a recent Act of Parliament requires, on the removal of a Patient to private lodgings, the same certificate as is necessary on admission to a private asylum, "under pain of the person neglecting being deemed guilty of misdemeanor."

If, however, under particular circumstances, the feelings of friends lead them to be desirous of trying in the first instance private lodgings, Mr. MULLINS (to obviate the objections to them) will personally undertake the selection of suitable ones in any healthy and retired neighbourhood, and individually attend to the necessary arrangements, domestic and pecuniary; will find trustworthy and experienced attendants, and will himself vigilantly see that every duty to the invalid is unceasingly performed, and that the wishes and instructions of the consulting physician are constantly and properly fulfilled.

The short distance from town of the healthy village of Chelsea, places it within the daily visits of the Profession; whom Mr. M. begs to inform that kind and experienced Nurses for Ladies, and respectable and well-qualified attendants for Gentlemen, can always be obtained at a short notice.

Frequent Carriage Exercise over the drives of Hampstead, Highgate, Wimbledon, &c., at a trifling extra charge.

The removal of patients from the country is easily effected, under the care of Mr. MULLINS and careful attendants, at the expense only of the patient's coach-hire. Thus supposed incurable cases (even from a distant part of the country) may, at small expense, be benefited by the experience of the metropolitan physicians.

It may be desirable distinctly to state that the opinion the Commissioners have of this establishment is highly satisfactory; and to add, that by a constant attention to duty, the reputation this retreat has obtained shall ever be merited. We may be allowed to quote from their last Report, as, in few words, it is expressive:—

"They find the house in very good order, and the patients here are comfortable and well attended to in all respects." "Divine service is regularly performed by a clergyman."

The terms will be found very moderate, and the references the most satisfactory.

N.B. Particulars of the Establishment for Gentlemen may be obtained by application to Mr. MULLINS, King's-road, Chelsea.