LUNATIC ASYLUMS IN THE COLONY.

G.—No. 27.

9

received by the Keeper since my last visit on the 9th February, comparing them with the entries in the " Eegister of Patients " (section 24), and " Eegister of Deaths, Discharges, and Eemoval " (section 27). The " Inspector's Book " was duly minuted, with the then condition of the Asylum and of the patients. 2. The inspection was made as complete and thorough as possible, occupying the greater part of the day, and till long after dark. The patients were seen during meal-time—at dinner, and at tea. All the books and documents were minutely examined, compared, and checked, the one against the other. 3. The Keeper duly showed the whole of the building, and all the patients (section 54). 4. I made the inquiries prescribed by clause 55 respecting the treatment, health, and comfort of the patients; their occupations and amusements; classification and dietary; and the performance of Divine Service. _ 5. The Keeper produced, as clause 56 requires, the list of patients and the several books which it is his and the Clerk's and Medical Officer's duty to keep ; also the orders and certificates relating to patients admitted since the 9th February. The "List of Patients" was closely compared with the " Eegister of Patients," from the first entry in it, and found to agree with the number appearing to be still undischarged—namely, males, 75; females, 34 ;in all 109. Each patient named on the list was pointed out separately. The whole number of persons seen by me on the premises and in the wards agreed with the total shown on the list. All the books were signed by me as having been produced. 6. The plan of the Asylum (section 57), the absence of which I have had to notice for a long time past, is now supplied, and kept hung up in a sufficiently conspicuous place. 7. The "Patients' Book" (section 58) has now, for the first time, been produced. It is combined, as suggested in my report of 9th Eebruary, with the " Case Book" required by clause 25. 8. Two habitual drunkards, one male and one female, under " curative treatment," were admitted respectively 6th January, 1872, and 23rd October, 1871. So long as there is not sufficient space for keeping this class of patients entirely separate, their presence at the Asylum is likely to, and, in fact, does produce mischievous effect on the ordinary lunatic patients. The Act does not appear, either directly or by inference, to give the Keeper any power to subject the " curative treatment" patients to the ordinary rules of the Asylum for the maintenance of proper discipline, and to enforce due subordination to his authority. I strongly recommend that no more such patients be admitted until they can have entirely separate accommodation, so that it may not be possible for them to have any communication whatever with the lunatics. The male patient referred to ought to be got rid of off the premises at once, if possible. 9. The " Eegister of Patients " (section 24), newly printed, contains now all the columns set out in the form in Schedule 12. It was properly kept up, except that the " bodily condition " of two patients (No. 364 and 365) had not been entered up immediately on their admission, and that the "form of disorder" of one patient (No. 360) had not been supplied aad signed by the Medical Officer within the month after admission. 10. The " Medical Journal" (section 25) was found duly written up ; one patient only was found to be in seclusion, as noted therein. The " Case Book" has now been opened, the entries in it beginning from Ist January, 1872. The " Patients' Book" (section 58) has also for the first time been opened, being the " Medical Journal" itself, with an additional column for entries by the Inspector and Official Visitors. The " exact account of the autopsy" of a patient (No. 363) recently deceased, had not yet been entered in the " Case Book," as prescribed by clause 25. 11. The notices (as required by clause 26) on the death of the above patient were entered by the Clerk as having been given, except the notices to the Eegistrar of Deaths and to the nearest Coroner. This latter omission may possibly be unimportant, as the Medical Officer of the Asylum is also Coroner for the District. I think, nevertheless, that the Coroner's records of inquests on deceased lunatics should be kept complete, as important questions of inheritance may depend on the Act being strictly complied with. An inquest was duly held on the body of the patient, by a Justice of the Peace, acting for the Coroner. 12. The Clerk of the Asylum had duly entered the death in the " Eegister of Patients," and in a separate register, kept according to clause 27. He had also noted having sent the proper notice to the Colonial Secretary. 13. The new building intended for refractory and epileptic female patients is now as high as four feet above the upper story flooring-joists, which are ready laid ; but I think it will not be finished for the reception of patients before four or five months. This building is entirely of concrete, and so constructed that it will be almost impossible for it to take fire. 14. A cottage has been built for patients who have means or friends to pay for the cost of a special keeper and separate treatment, where the case allows hope of an early recovery. 15. The four new cottages for the attendants and their families will shortly be erected, as recommended in my last report. The materials are now on the ground. 16. I found everything about the premises and patients in the same satisfactory condition as on former visits. Mr. Seager's care and attention, and his efforts to promote the comfort and amusement of the patients, are in no way relaxed. Eemarks of numerous visitors from other parts of New Zealand, and from the neighbouring Colonies, written in the " Visitors' Book," testify their satisfaction with the arrangements of the establishment in a manner which must be highly gratifying to the Keeper and the Provincial authorities, especially as several visitors mention the Asylum very favourably with reference to others they have gone over. 17. The foregoing comprises the usual routine account of an inspection. Three days later (Ist June), I had to make a special visit, in reference to the " Curative Treatment" cases. In the report I shall have to make to you, I propose to offer only general observations and suggestions, omitting routine details, which would only be a repetition of those given above. I have, &c, J. W. Hamilton, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Inspector, Sunnyside Asylum. 3