WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1533, 16 January 1879, Page 3

WELLINGTON LUNATIC ASYLUM.

[Special Wire.] Wellington, January 15. Dr. Skae visited and inspected the Wellington Asylum from the 25th to 29th November, 1878, or about six weeks ago. This report bas never before been published. It is as follows : The number now in the Asylum are—males, 66 ; females, 46; total, 112, being 40 more than when I first drew attention to its overcrowded condition. This has now reached a pitch which is quite unendurable, and baffled all attempts at good. Almost all the bedrooms intended for the use of one patient only are occupied by two or three. There is consequently no possibility of safely disposing of excited and violent patients, and the risk of serious accidents, even murders, is very great indeed, not to speak of the abominable vices which are liable to be encouraged by such distribution of persons of disordered passions and bereft of self-control. The passages and lavatories arc used as sleeping places. Most of the associated dormitories are crowded with beds, to which less than half the minimum cubic space thought consistent with good health is allotted. The solitary day room of the male “ back ward” is even more crowded than the dormitories. This room is 20ft by 15ft. and when visited on the 29th, a rainy day, on which the patients could not get out to the grounds, it contained thirty patients, packed so closely together on benches that they had not room to move their elbows. Although three windows and the door were open, the atmosphere was close and offensive, bnt the superintendent explained that it was nothing to what it usually was in wet weather, when it is occupied by thirty-five patients and two attendants, and the windows have to be kept shut on account of the strong cold winds. It is absurd to pretend that this place in its present condition has any claim to be considered an asylum. It would be an undeserved compliment to call it a prison. It is not morally justifiable to continue week after week adding to the number of inmates, whatever difficulty there may be of otherwise disposing of the insane. It appears to mo necessary that a circular should be sent to all Resident Magistrates and acting Justices in the provincial district, informing them that no more patients can be received into the asylum until the building has been enlarged or a reduction has by some means been effected in the number now resident. Unless some such step as this bo taken, it seems certain that some dreadful catastrophe will happen. It cannot be too distinctly stated that the asylum is already in a dangerous and unmanageable condition, though the patients are described as quiet and orderly. An addition to the asylum capable of accommodating 300 patients is recommended.