THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3247, 3 July 1872, Page 7

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

The following is the report of Dr Huhne, Provincial Surgeon, regarding the condition of the above Institution .during the year ending on the 31 »t March, Ijwt :— Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, May 23rd, 1872. To the Provincial Treasurer. .Sir—l have the honour to submit to you the annual report of this Institution lor the year ending 31st March, 1872. Also, appended, are statistical tables {especially table XL), showing the yearly increase of the insane in the Province of Otapo. Oil the 35 fit March, 1871, there remained in the Asylum 127 patients, of whom HA were males, and 44 females. During the year ending .'{lst March, 1872, £i males and 17 females have been admitted. The total number under care and treatment for that period being 198, And the daily average 143 There have been discharged from the Asylum, within the twelve months, 35 recovered, 2 relieved, and 8 died ; total, «J5 : leaving 104 males, and 49 females, total, ir>3 patients under care and treatment, which shows an increase of 20 from the corresponding date of last year. It may tm stated that although Dunedin and suburbs supply to the Asylum the largest number of jaticnts, yet the Oamaru and "Wakatipu districts have forwarded more patienta this year than any previous year. The number of patients from the Invercargill district is also increasing—during the last; twelve months, seven patients Lave been admitted from that district.

As shown in Table 1., the number 35 discharged recovered, gives a per centago of 50 on the admission.!), and 18 upon tho total number under treatment; and referring to Table XL, of the 089 patients admitted since the opening of the Asylum, ZHi'.) were discharged recovered, giving a per centage of upwards of 020, which may bu conHidered satisfactory. Table 11. represents tho number (8) of deaths for the pant year, length of residence in: the Apylum, age, and cause of death. The main annual mortality i« 4 per cent, upon tho total number treated. In accordance with tho Lunatics Act, an inqucht was held in each ewe. As provided in tho 04th Clause of "The Lunatics Act, 1808," 12 patients were allowed out on trial for certain periods, and at the expiration were discharged ; and many of the inmates have been allowed, from time to time, to go Lome and visit their friends, with good xesultM.

Referring to Tab'o V. (Social Condition), more than 00 per cent, of tho adaiiißsioiiH aro single, many of whom on being brought to the Asylum were ■clothed in jilthy rugs, and without any •jtieaiiK when recovered to go out into tho world again. Such as recover are decently clothed and money given to them by the Government to assist them to find rmploynient. The Asylum authorities t also endeavour to obtain situations for others, and without exception all have given satisfaction to their employers. At present, there arc three on the Asylum «t;uT who were formerly patients in the liiKtitulioii : of whom it can be said that more painstaking servants in their duties cannot be found ; they take fjreat interest in tho welfare of the Establishment, ami to jmo they appear to have a more than usual warmth to the helpless inmates they now serve. Ah provided by "Tho Lunatics Act, .18(58," the Inspector visited the Asylum monthly during the year. He saw all the patients at each visit, and inspected every part of the Asylum ; also the food, bedding, and all other necessaries provided for their proper care and treatment. The books and documents required to lie kept wore examined and signed by him. The Inspector, at each visit, reported in his book favourably of the Institution, bi;t from time to time pointed out the necessity of further accommodation being provided for tho increasing number of male patients. A new ward will be commenced immediately after the Estimates have passed the Council. A distinct ward will also be required for Chinese lunatic patients, seven of that nation being at present in "the Asy'mn. This ward is very much required, as thu habits of the Chinese lunatics arc very disagreeable to EuropeuiiH. The minor especially very strongly .ahows his aversion to the Chinese.

It is gratifying to report that a plentiful supply <>f water has been introduced for ;ill purposes in tho Asylum from the "Water Company's works, and in case of fire we have now the control of that powerful element for its extinction. The work wits entirely done; by tho otniF of -the Institution. Fheplugs and host! are ready for instant use at diflerent points otitwle the Asylum, while the insult; ia tonally protected, by each ward having a press lilli.;.'. with ho.se, director, and the necessary water valve, winch the attendant can turn on ami use immediately. Care; is taken that every attendant's key will open any of the presses, while tho patients are prevented from tampering with the water valve. The san it dry state of the Institution is still further improved by the drains being nlore frecucntly ■flushed with water. Jt may be added that the original water supply to the -Asylum :is entirely used in the laundry, iUtd can j/ivu a corl.iin quantity to the Asylum, in tho event of any sudden Kii'pjctge occurring in the Company's supply. During the year, considerable and ncwm;\ry !in>iroveiueiits have liccn inadc in Ihe Asylum grounds by the best working patients ; but there are many in the airiii!j tonri'-i whoeould be usofuily employed if there were fniHicient scope for them to work : and 1 may here point out that the limited extent of the grounds is becoming iii;..ufik-ient to give work for the increasing number of patients, and would suggest i.liat a farm, f-;ay of 100 acres, within -three miles of Diinedin, bo provided in connection with the Asylum, which would give employment to the chronic or incurable irnilo patients. Such an undertaking would asbist to make the Institution more self-supporting, and give a wider circle to ita inmates ; even a holiday from time to timo to the Asylum farm •would have beneficial effects on the convalescent patients.

At present there could be selected from the male division of the Institution not lew, than 30 incurable patienta, in good bodlily health, and who, from appearance, may live for years. By drafting them to a farm, under tho care of three experienced male attendants used to agriculture, their coat -would bo Jeaiened, while at the aamo time tho Asylum would be benefited from the farm produce ifc lias now to purchase. The surplus produce (if any) could also ibo sold, or supplied to the other Institutions depending on the Government. There would be nn outlay at first, but not to a great extent, for the farm buildings, and a ward for the patients and attendants. The buildings could be erected by Asyluui labonr. Another reason for'such a beneficial step being taken, w that incurable" cases could be drafted to the farm, leaving room for the admuurion of acute cases ; the present building: woulii not have to be enlarged every year, as, the number of inmates would not Materially increase in its limited grounds. The money laid out on enlargements to the present building could go to lay the foundations of a permanent I jtinatic Aiiylum at the farm. ; Table X shows the economical result* of the year, the total expenditure being JKJ9SS, and the repayments from private patienta £940 ; the weekly cost per head oyer all being 10a 7d, and deducting repayments, net coa:t Bs. The garden has been very productive, and given a plentiful supply of vegetables, &c, &c. Whilst"the daily work in the Asylum and grounds is regularly performed, the amusements for the inmates are not forgotten. During the year weekly balls have taken place, imtcr«f>er»ed with dramatic entertainments, Christy Minstrels, magic lantern, &c, and patients, in charge of their attendants, have been allowed to concerts and other amusements in tho city. At a recess, opportunity was taken to have the stage in the amusement hall remodelled. It is now fitted up with beautiful scenery, painted by Mr J. S. Willis, of the Princess Theatre, and thanks are due to the artist for the handsome pictures produced, to give pleasure to the patients. The " Luna Dramatic Club" has performed l>oth in comedy and farce, U> upwards of 100 patients, from time to time.

During the year religious instructions have been given to those patients fit to take part in them, and, from observation, have been attended witli good results. .Besides tho service on Sabbath, the patients are visited during the. week by the chaplains. As heretofore, clergymen of any denomination, on coming to tho Asylum, have free access to the members of their respective Churches. In closing this report, I have to express my acknowledgments to the officers and attendants of the Institution for its careful and satisfactory management; also for the kindness and comfort bestowed by them on its inmates. I have, &c, EiiWAiiw Hvlmk, M.D., F.R.C.S. Lond., Provincial Surgeon. (We are obliged to omit the Tables referred to. 3