THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9084, 19 June 1888, Page 6

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sib,—Mnch has been said lately about the management of the Avondale Asylum. I think the public should require no stronger proof of the way this institution is managed by the present superintendent than the account given by Mr. F. G. Ewington in the Herald of tho 13th inst., which plainly shows there must be something materially wrong both in the management and treatment of the unfortunate patients. Your corrrespondent, "F.," in Saturday's Herald, comes forward to praise the present management, and says i(i is better than the past. Now, sir, I have no object whatever to serve beyond my interest in trying to help the patients. I have had ample opportunity of seeing for myself, and I am prepared to show thsit it ie infinitely worse than it was in Dr. Young's timo. Any person that was accustomed to aee the patients then and now can distinguish a great change for the worse. In Dr. Young's time many of the patients were allowed to roam about the grounds at will; the remainder that were able were taken out every day as a walking party, and they really appeared, from their cheerful appearance, to enjoy it. But you see none of that now, for there is no liberty or walking parties to be seen. Everything was carried on then in a smooth and pleasing manner by all, but at present everything appears to be carried on under such a domineering reign of terror that it takes all the attendants' time looking out for the doctor, so that they may be ready to stand to order and salute him as long as he remains in sight j for lot it be known, thafc it)

does not matter what the attendants are doing, whether carrying a corpse to the dead-house, or holding a patient in a fit to prevent him knocking himself against the pavement, the prescribed salute must be strictly attended to. Now, Sir, discipline is all very well, but I do not think it should be forced to such an extent aa to interfere with the care and comfort of the patients. Dr. Macgregor says in his report laid before Parliament) that great credit is due to Dr. Cremonini for the great improvements that he has made in the grounds, and painting done inside the building, as these improvements had cost nothing for labour. But when it is known how this work has been done you will say that the cost has been very great. This work has all been done by tradesmen employed as attendants, while the poor patients are left to take care of themrelves, and are huddled together indiscriminately, locked up in a yard. No doubt this treatment has a good deal to do with the small percentage of cures, etc. Hoping the cause will be a sufficient excuse for trespassing so much on your valuable paper.—l am, etc., Workman.