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himself. All the wards were in the usual satisfactory condition, except that owing to the recent admission of some violent cases the refractory female ward was somewhat noisier than usual. I found every case was under careful and vigilant treatment. The acute cases were all being carefully and frequently fed. Nothing but the utmost watchfulness on the part of the medical men and the staff as a whole could have secured such remarkable immunity from accidents as I find to have been obtained in spite of the terrible overcrowding which has prevailed during the year. In the main building very great difficulty has been experienced from the want of single rooms and a padded room on the male side. The extension of the west wing is being pushed forward, and I hope that within three months this serious defect in our arrangements will have been remedied. The food, clothing, and bedding of the patients are carefully attended to. I heard none but the usual complaints of unjust detention and loss of liberty. The Deputy Inspector and the Official Visitors are unremitting in their visits and their attention to the wants and complaints of the patients. To my great regret Dr. Pooks has been obliged to resign his position, largely, I fear, owing to the heavy strain which the crowded state of the Asylum has laid upon him. There is no more arduous position in the public service than that of our Medical Superintendents under the present conditions. Three out of the four in charge of our large asylums have lately broken down in health, one after the other, and I think the time has come when some scheme must be devised by which periodic leave of absence—say, one year in six—must be granted as a right. From the day he joined the service I have found Dr. Pooks a very pleasant colleague, an able and conscientious administrator, and in every respect a man it was a pleasure to be associated with. His leaving is a great loss to the department, and he carries with him the unfeigned respect and good-will of all who have been brought into official relations with him. Cheistchubch. 21st October, 1896, —I have seen all the patients and inspected every part of the Asylum. The order, cleanliness, and comfort of the patients are most satisfactory. The new laundry has been finished, and will be in use next week. The vigour and care of Dr. Levinge are manifest in every detail of the Asylum organization. 2nd April, 1897. —The bedding, clothing, and feeding of the patients of this Asylum leave nothing to be desired. Their medical care and treatment are sedulously attended to by Dr. Levinge and Dr. Crosby. The new airing-court has been carefully laid out, and will soon be fit for occupation, to the great relief both of patients and attendants. Steady progress is made towards improving the environment of the patients, and the doctor has explained to me what appears to be a very promising plan for coping with what has hitherto been one of the most difficult problems in asylum management all over the world —namely, the laying-out of a garden contiguous to the female airingcourt, where all who can be induced to take an interest in light outdoor gardening will be employed in the open air. I have long thought that the sentimental prejudices which attach to field-work for women have been a great hindrance to the best and most rational treatment of many forms of mental disease in the sex. If only we could get sufficient money to provide the necessary accommodation, 1 am sure the officers of the asylums would be second to none in their energy and ability to successfully treat the terrible forms of disease with which they are called upon to struggle with such inadequate means. It is a pleasure to go over the farm, and I know that the pecuniary results are such as to strike with astonishment visitors from our own and other countries. The staff as a whole is very efficient, and working very harmoniously. Dr. Levinge seems to have conquered for himself a firm place in the respect of Canterbury. All the books and documents are in perfect order, and the management as a whole deserves the fullest confidence of the public. 22nd May, 1b97. —Pound everything in admirable order. Seaclifp. 13th October, 1896.—This Asylum is in good order throughout. During Dr. King's absence, Dr. Beattie, with the assistance of Dr. Pox, has maintained the efficiency of the staff, and has carefully and devotedly attended to the comfort of the patients. Dr. King has returned to his work greatly improved in health and spirits. Complete harmony prevails among the staff. The total number of patients is 562 —males, 352; females, 210. To-day 226 males were employed in the open air. The diet is abundant and excellent in quality. The bedding and clothing are ample and good. The proportion of patients who spend their time and energies in some form of useful work is very high. Only four men and two women were confined to bed. All the acute and recent cases were being carefully attended to. The new female airing-court is now nearly complete, and I cannot conceive anything more appropriate and beautiful. Mr. Buckley, the gardener, deserves the greatest credit for the skill and care which he has expended on this work. It is a great pleasure to find at every visit how skilfully the surroundings of the Asylum are being developed, and what care and ability are being shown in making the most of this splendid estate. The farming operations are in a forward state. The decorations of the interior of the building are a pleasure to see, and are being rapidly pushed forward. The covered way to the upper building will be. a great comfort in bad weather, and its inexpensive rustic character will soon be covered with greenery. All the statutory books are in order. The Deputy Inspector and Official Visitors visit regularly, and forward their reports to the Minister. 29th March, 1897. —This Asylum has been carefully examined by me in all its departments. The patients show a high average of health in their looks. Their clothing is suitable. The food is abundant, and of good quality. I saw every corner of the building and annexes, and found everything in perfect order. I made an unusually searching examination into the correctness with which 2—H. 7.

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