G.—No. 27,

4

REPORTS ON THE

the peculiar nature of their treatment, according to their several forms of disease. But, in my opinion, as the result of our last year's experience, no extra knowledge or efficiency will compensate for the loss of discipline, or the injury inflicted by internal discord. And all this arises from the want of a proper understanding as to where the power of dismissal lies. I think, myself, it should rest (where it is assumed to rest) with the Medical Officer of the Asylum; or, if that be considered too invidious a position for him to occupy, then let it be in conjunction with the Keeper, with a final reference to the Inspector in cases of difference. This would soon put a stop to internal disorder and irregularity, and tend materially to promote the comfort and efficiency of all concerned. I refer to this subject so largely because of its extreme importance. When the power is clearly defined by His Honor the Superintendent, and officially published at the Asylum, in all probability it will not require to be exercised at all. The attendants are engaged from month to month, at a very decent salary, and I think they will value their situations more highly than the mere privilege of quarrelling amongst themselves, or neglecting the orders of their superior officers. 3. with this one exception, I have but little complaint to make, and indeed it is far from my desire to make any complaint at all, as it is much more pleasant to me, and encouraging to others, to be able to give commendation, when deserved, than to find fault with exceptional failures. Tho cares and duties of an asylum life are, without any intermission, of so anxious and harassing a nature, as to excite surprise that any person can be found willing to engage in them, and the friends and relatives of our patients ought to feel extremely obliged to our present staff of officers and attendants for the great attention and kindness which they show to the inmates. Out of the Asylum, and at their own homes, I am sure they would not meet with so much care and consideration; and insufficient as the building may now be in regard to space and convenience, it is a far better place for the management and cure, or care and comfort, of the insane, than the generality of outside residences would be for any of them. 4. Here they have good and nourishing food three times a day, well cooked, and served with regularity and cleanliness ; their dormitories are large and clean and airy, and their beds comfortable and soft. They have easy work to do, when they are willing, and they are not forced to do it when they are not; there is music and singing and dancing for those that like it, and free leave of absence for those that don't ; there are walks and pic-nics and salt-water baths for those who can be trusted, and as much out-door liberty as possible for those who can't; there are the services of religion, in their several Communions, for those who can profit by them, with the visits of friends and clergymen of all denominations. All these provisions are made for them in health; and in sickness and dying they have every medical comfort and care which the Eesident Burgeon and his dispensary and kitchen can afford them. This whilst they are alive; and after death, an inquest is held by the Coroner, for the satisfaction of their absent friends and relatives, who are at once advised of their decease. Surely there can be but little cause of complaint against an institution like this. 5. But in reference to the yard for the out-door exercise of such as cannot be trusted in the front grounds —I allude to the male department —there is sufficient ground of dissatisfaction. When the patients were fewer, this space was large enough; but with our present number it is unhealthily crowded. To enlarge it in length, with a longitudinal partition down the centre, thus separating the quiet and convalescent from the restless and more dangerous, would afford a considerable degree of relief, especially if furnished with suitable sheds or verandahs as a protection against sun and rain, as at all the chief asylums at home. At present it is quite distressing to see the miscellaneous way in which all these men, in their forms and degrees of insanity, are obliged to intermingle in their out-door exercises; and though the cost of an enlargement, with an alteration of the drainage, would be considerable, yot I believe the general public would be as well satisfied with this as with any other portion of provincial expenditure. As seen on all occasions, the desire of the people seems to be great and unanimous that these relatives of ours who cannot take care of themselves, shall be well and comfortably cared for at the public expense. The malady is one to which they all feel themselves to be exposed at any time, and so their interest in its proper and humane treatment becomes the greater, and the expense in this case would not be denied. 6. There are likewise the small rooms still required for the restless and noisy female patients, to which I had the honor to draw particular attention in my last Eeport; and now that their number is so much greater, the necessity is greater still. The proposed new building for which a grant was recontly made in Council, will afford some alleviation generally, but in this respect it will afford none. The turbulent and noisy women cannot be removed elsewhere, and so must be provided for in the present building. The complaints to me from the quiet and more orderly patients are incessant, and I feel it my duty to urge the matter again on the immediate attention of the Government. 7. The water supply for the general use of the building is another subject requiring the attention of the authorities. As the well is dug in proximity to one of the main drains, the water it contains is unfit for culinary purposes, for which, however, a daily supply is drawn, in the cart, from an adjoining stream. But in case of a fire breaking out in any part of this large building, there would bono means of quenching or subduing it, owing to the want of an engine, with suitable fire-buckets and ladders, which might be kept in reserve. 8. In the new dietary which has been drawn up, a great difference will be observed to that of former years, so as to form a variety in the several meals of the different days of the week, according to the resources of the new and larger kitchen range which has been supplied during the past year. Coffee has been substituted for tea at breakfast, baked meats and other preparations alternating with soup and boiled beef at dinner, and enough butter supplied to all, twice a day, to make the bread more palatable. I think these changes ought to satisfy the public mind, that the Government is willing to comply with all reasonable demands in providing for the comfort of the insane, many of whom, however, would not be satisfied or cease to murmur even at the most varied or extravagant dietary. It is well, therefore, that visitors and relatives should bo apprised of this fact, and not go and publish their crude and incorrect opinions abroad, which, after all, are but tho insignificant result of half an hour's experience. Any remarks which they desire to make can be entered in the " Visitor's Book," where there is a wide column left for the purpose, and all such observations will be duly considered.