H.~ 7

10

There is no need to enter into an analysis of the statistics, the period embraced being the latter half of what will be reviewed in the annual report, but the following table will give the changes in the population since the date of the last visit:— Males. Females. Total. Resident on 17th July, 1907 ... ... ... 410 267 677 On probation on 17th July, 1907 ... ... 8 10 18 On register on 17th July, 1907 ... ... ... 418 277 695 Admitted since 17th July, 1907 ... ... ... 40 27 67 Under care since 17th July, 1907 ... ... ... 458 304 762 Males. Females. Total. Discharged recovered ... 18 22 40 Discharged unrecovered ... 1 2 3 Died ... ... ... 22 13 35 — — — 41 37 78 On register on 18th January, 1908 ... ... 417 267 684 On probation on 18th January, 1908 ... ... 7 5 12 Resident on 18th January, 1908 ... ... ... 410 262 672 Accommodation for ... ... ...• ... 447 259 706 Patients in excess of accommodation ... 3 Accommodation available for ... ... 37 As previously mentioned, the addition of the Wolffe Bequest Hospital and the adapting of the Medical Superintendent's present resMence for hospital use will more than meet the difficulties, and allow of still further classification. The following return gives the number of patients requiring special attention for the causes assigned : — Males. Females. Total. Epileptics ... ... ... ... ... 24 27 51 General paralytics ... ... ... ... ... 9 1 10 Suicidal ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 8 23 Dangerous (not included above) ... ... ... 14 16 30 Liable to be wet and dirty ... ... ... ... 35 57 92 Of these, actually wet and dirty ... ... ... 11 9 20 Four hundred and eighteen patients (males, 280; females, 138) are usefully employed—l 66 of the men working- on the farm or in the garden—and 244 are mentally or physically unfit for employment. The condition of the patients is satisfactory. All in residence were seen and given an opportunity to converse, and no rational complaint was made against the treatment. A number of patients were accorded special interviews, chiefly in relation to requests for discharge. One of these patients was a man of markedly criminal type, a degenerate showing no active signs of insanity at present. At one period of his career he was suspected of arson. It is obviously undesirable that such persons should be housed with ordinary patients. The food is good, varied, and ample : the bread from the new bakehouse maintains its excellent quality. The estimate that the cost of the bakery would be wiped out in eighteen months has, I believe, been justified. The meat supplied is occasionally tough, a defect not discernible when it is delivered, but, I am persuaded, not due to the preparation and cooking. Unless a marked change in its quality is maintained, this fact must be kept in mind when new contracts are entered into. The general health of the patients is good. Twelve (in., 8; f., 4) are in bed to-day—two suffering from general paralysis, two epileptics, three from senility, and one each from phthisis, cerebral tumour, and diarrhoea (not epidemic), while one was kept in bed for his mental condition, and another to rest a leg-ulcer newly healed. One hunched and fmtv-three patients (m., 87: f., 56) are returned as attending divine service. Considering the number fit for employment and attending entertainments, I believe that a much higher percentage could with profit conform to a more natural order of things, and relieve the monotony of a non-working-day by attending such services. During the past six months five entries liave been made in the Register of Restraint. These refer to three women patients who were restrained for an average period of three hours and a half by the least irksome means warranted by their condition of extreme violence. The following return gives the ratio of the full nursing staff to patients :—: Day attendants ... ... ... ... ... ... Ito lO'Ol Night attendants ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 „ 167*7 Day nurses ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 ~ 8"7 Night nurses ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 ~ 131 The night supervision is concentrated where needed, and when necessary a special night attendant or nurse is added. Fourteen members of the nursing staff have been in the service for five years and upwards. The case-book and other statutory books and registers are neatly kept, and are up to date. I have once more to express my pleasure at the satisfactory state in which I find this Mental Hospital.