Our Lunatic Asylums.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1835, 21 May 1886, Page 2

Our Lunatic Asylums.

I The report of Dr Grabham, the Inspector funeral of the Luuatic Asylums in this colony states;—“At the end of the year IHsi, there were 1152 persons of unbound mind detained iu the various asylums. On the 3lst December, 1385, the total had risen to 1523 ; an increase of 71 insane persons under care and treatment. The following figures will show that the above statement is a gratifying one when regard is bad to the annual increase of ihn general population. Increase of insane under detention Year 1882, 106 ; year 1883, 93 ; year 1884, 77 ; and year 1885. 71. Thus, whereas at the end of the year 1881, we had one lunatic to every 390 persons, the proportion had diminished at the close of last year to one in 401 of the population, which was estimated by the Registrar General at 582,425. In England nod Wales the ratio was, for the year 1885,1 in 839. Id the Wellington Asylum it appears that there is now no overcrowding, but that in fact a few beds are vacant. With reference to the proposal of some years hack to have an asylum in the country, Dr Grabham remarks " AtPorirua the Government owns an estate which possesses great advantages as a site tor an asylum, and on which a colony of working male lunatics might be established in connection with the Wellington Asylum, at a cost of a few hundred pounds only. The site is certainly superior to any of those now peenpied by asylums in the colony ; and,

being situated on n line of railway, it will ho | readily reached both from the Napier and Taranaki Districts. The soil is good, and at present carries a large number of sheep and cattle, as it has done for years past. There [ is a large and never failing supply of good water, which can readily be stored at a considerable elevation. The buildings can be erected so as to have a proper aspect and a good view, and to be, with their airing courts, quite scicened from the public roads. The patients might be employed at first in cultivating certain portions and forming roads and paths, as well as in clearing away the bush and stumps of trees ; a ready market for all agricultural and garden produce not requited at the Wellington Asylum being found in the city. I hold the opinion that immense benefit would result from the addition of such resources to the Wellington Asylum in the way of suitable employment for its lunatics, combined with change of scene and air ; and I can only regret that, although the Legislature has more than once voted the necessary finances, the Government has not seen fit to put the works in band for establishing an auxiliary asylum in so excellent a situation.” The Auckland Asylum is disgracefully over crowded. Dr Brabham says “ that some of the female patients there are kept in places like fowl houses 4 ” and 44 that shakedowns are in use in corridors and day rooms.” Such a way of housing lunatics is a disgrace to civilisation. The average cost of maintaining a lunatic patient Ijis £24 5s 3fd—which seems to be a very reasonable amount, At Napier, however, there is a snug little asylum—containing only five patients—and a few 44 remanded persons ” sent there 44 on suspicion of lunacy ”—woich has a deputy Inspector, Visiting Medical Officer, Superintendent and two attendants—alt to look after five lunatics. This model little madhouse costs £SOO a year. Decidedly these five Napier lunatics should be sent to Wellington. We are surprised that Dr Grabham says nothing about the alarming and yearly increasing influx to the Wellington Asylum of 44 lunatics from Wanganui.” The terrible and growing prevalence of lunacy in that township and district is alike lamentable and astonishing. We should much like to learn the views of Dr Grabham on this subject. Dr Grabham closes this, his last report, on the eve of his departure from the colony with the following pregnant and important remarks 44 In taking leave of the colony, I cannot bat regard with satisfaction the great improvements which have been effected during my tenure of office in the accommodation lor the insane, as well as in their surroundings and treatmeht. Nevertheless, I have to regret that much remains to be done before matters can be regarded as established upon a sound basis. Many of my plans and suggestions, approved by the Ministry of the day, remains unacted upon, and no provisions exists for the future increase of lunacy in the colony. Unless the matter be speedily taken in hand, an adverse change will surely set in, and the present successful treatment of the insane, as evidenced by a high rate of recovery and a low death rate, will become a thing of the past. The Colony is fortunate in possessing, as Superintendents of its asylums, men possessed of special knowledge and ability ; but their services are ill-requited when they are badly paid and provided, and placed in constant difficulties through overcrowding their asylums. While the wages of attendants are thrice as high as in the Old Country, the salaries of Superintendents are lower than those paid in England. No encouragement is given in the way of annual or other increases or pensions, and they are even required to pay for substitutes when taking that occasional leave of absence, which, in their case, is an absolute necessity for the preservation of mens sana in corpore sano.”