THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1341, 11 August 1877, Page 10

THE LUNATIC ASYLUM.

In the course of his report on the Dunedin Lunatic Asylum, Dr Skae says :— "The faults of this Asylum appear to be all more' or less directly due to its pinched construction, .'exposed position, and want of land, and certainly not to any laxity, or feebleness in the management, which is , carried on' with much courage and ability amidst insuperable difficulties. The medical officer lives clo3e at hand, and devotes much , time and attention "to his- work. There w no • time to be lost in dealing with-the Dunedin Asylum. It is crowded 'and 'cannot be enlarged,' yet the number of patients 'is steadily and rapidly increasing." It is' shown that while L6OOO was expended in providing the accommodation for* 36 patients that tKa original building gives, Mr Hume, by carrying out his own plans in his own way, .has 'been able to furnish' accommodation for 200 at an additional cost of only LBOOO. After having in forcible language pointed out the present 'overcrowded state of the Institution,' and' the danger and positive injury to the patients arising therefrom, Dr Skae concludes :•" The staff is, in my opinion, very insufficient for^so large an asyium. The keeper is manifestly overworked ; he has a large,am'ount of clerking work, most of which'he does after 11 p.m., arid he is often, at work till 1.30 in the morning. He sleeps in his office, so as to* be constantly at hand when wanted. He has never had a week's holiday since he entered on duty, and is frequently not off the premises for three months at a time. ' The matron is also very hard worked and zealous in the discharge of' her duties.' The medical officer, who devotes mu<;h time and attention to his duties, is practically resident, but he has not the 'powers^'which should certainly belong to the resident medical officer of so large an asylum. Great attention is paid to economy in management of th"ia asylum, and the cost of maintenance' here; is very much lower than in some other 'asylums in the Colony." ' - ' • "