19

H.-7

The Register of Restraint has entries referring to six patients, who were restrained by the least irksome means necessitated by their condition. The causes are set forth as destructiveness in two cases, in one combined with self-abuse, in one case of dangerous violence, in one each to prevent self-mutilation and self-destruction, and in one, secundum artem, for surgical reasons. There are resident 21 patients (in., 16; f., ijj who were committed under the sections dealing with criminals of unsound mind. Two, one of each sex, are awaiting trial. Six men are detained " under pleasure " : one man's Court sentence has not yet expired, but in all the other cases it has, and yet, with the law as it stands at present, their detention is still under the above sections. During the visits all the 003 patients resident were seen, and had an opportunity to speak with me, and 1 conversed with many. As usual, some were importunate for discharge, for which they were nut fit; but neither these nor any of the others made any rational complaint against the institution or its management. There was a comparative absence of excitement, and the patients looked well and well-cared-for. The kitchen was spotlessly clean and orderly. The wards were clean and bright, and the sanitary blocks were odourless. The flowers in the garden are still beautiful, and the yield of the orchard is good; but I fear that the prolonged dry weather will tell its tale when the returns of the dairy farm are made out. The books and registers were examined, and found to be neatly and correctly kept. Mr. Souter, the Chief Clerk of the Department, recently went through the store and provision registers and the stock, and found everything in good order. I have pleasure in stating that the impression left by the visit is highly satisfactory. Wellington Mental Hospital. 31st December, 1907. Visited to conduct, with Miss Maclean and Dr. Crosby, the viva voce part of the Examination for the Registration of Mental Nurses. I gave a fire-alarm. The brigade turned out promptly, and had the water playing on the site of the supposed fire in 2 minutes 20 seconds. The fire-hoses and other apparatus are in good order. This is very reassuring, considering the inlhunmable nature of the building and the absence of brick partitions to stay the progress of fire. These should have been built years ago, but now that the moving of the Hospital is a probability one cannot justifiably advocate so costly a procedure. 28th April, 1908. I visited this Mental Hospital yesterday and to-day. The date of my previous visit was the 31st December last, and since then Miss Maclean has made an inspection, and Mr. Arnold, the Official Visitor, who takes a deep interest in the institution, has visited it five times. The number of women patients remain! as before, but during the past four months the number of men resident has increased by eight. There was then a want of accommodation for two women, and a vacancy for one man, which now becomes a deficiency of accommodation for seven. In the unsettled state "of the future of this Mental Hospital, one cannot advise additions. The following table shows the changes in population during the period under review: — Males. Females. Total. Resident on Ist January, 1908 ... ... ... 138 90 228 Absent on trial on Ist January, 1908 ... ... ... 3 4 7 On register on Ist January, 1908 ... ... ... HI 94 235 Admitted since Ist January, 1908 ... ... ... 12 9 21 Total under care during four months ... ... ••• 153 103 256 Males. Females. Total. Discharged recovered ... ... 2 6 8 ~ unrecovered ... Died ... 3 1 4 Total discharged and died ... - - - 5 < 12 On register on 27th April, 1908 ... ... ■■ I*B 96 244 Absent on trial on 27th April, 1908 ... ... ■•• 2 j> Resident on 27th April, 1908 146 90 236 Accommodation for ... .139 _ _ Excess of patients over accommodation... ... ••• ? I saw all the patients resident. They had opportunity to converse with me, and no complaints were made. Hereunder are classified the patients needing special attention :-— Males. Females, lotal. General paralytics ... ■•• ■•• ••• ••• g 9 17 Epileptics ... ... ••• ••• ••• "3 1 4 Suicidal ... ■•■ ■■• ••• ••• " X 2 7 Dangerous (not included above).. ••■ ••• » .. Liable to be wet and dirty ... •■• ■■• •• 6l « * 0 Actually wet and dirty The number under special-observation notices is 4 (males 3; females, JO-J* W^ it, has been found necessary to restrain 6 patients (m., 2; !., 4), to prevent homicidal attacks in