H.—7

6

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORTS. AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dk. Beattie reports : — I have much pleasure in forwarding my report for 1920. During the year we had 1,280 patients under care, with, an average number resident of 1,018. Of these several were soldier patients, some of whom were patients on more than one occasion before enlistment, and some of whom have developed insanity apart altogether from war conditions. The recovery-rate was only 31-25 per cent.—the lowest in my experience. I anticipate a compensatory increase during the coming year. The death-rate was 11-98 per cent. The chief causes of the 122 deaths were —senile decay, 25 ; chronic brain disease,'3o ; general paralysis, 10 ; and epilepsy, 8. Notwithstanding the apparently high death-rate, the general health of the patients was surprisingly good. We had no epidemics or obviously preventable diseases. The general work of the Hospital and the farm, where so many patients are usefully and hopefully employed, has progressed with reasonable success. The staff is becoming more stabilized, especially on the male side, and with the very greatly improved conditions of employment I hope to be able to secure a full staff who will consider the welfare of the patients their dominant interest. I am pleased to find that the new wing on the female side has at least been commenced. I still consider myself very fortunate in being able to secure a lady doctor for the women patients. Although, so far, they have not been, prepared to accept office for more than twelve months, I exist in the hope that a permanent lady assistant will ultimately be found. Both Dr. Mary Wilson and Dr. Grace Stevenson have been distinct acquisitions. Their services have been greatly appreciated by both patients and visitors. I trust the Department will make the appointment of lady assistants to the different mental hospitals compulsory. Their loyalty and fidelity to duty are beyond dispute. I have again to thank the Inspectors and Official Visitors, the New Zealand Herald, Mrs. Fleming, the city bands, the city and suburban bowling clubs, and others for assistance to myself, and especially for their consideration for the welfare of our patients. TOKANUI MENTAL HOSPITAL. Db. Geibben reports : — I have the honour to forward you my report on this institution for the year 1920. On the first day of the year wo had on our register 201 patients, made up of 15.1 males and 50 females. During the year there were added 5 males and 52 females transferred from other institutions, also 1 male and 1 female came into residence as voluntary boarders. During the period under review 10 male patients were discharged, and 1 male and 1 female died. Also 1 male and 5 female patients were transferred, so that the number on our register at the close of the year was a total of 240 (145 males and 95 females). The new wing was opened in September with a draft of 50 female patients transferred from Porirua. The general health of the patients has been excellent; one female patient died of hasmorrhage from ulceration of the stomach. In the way of amusements and relaxation we have had during the cool weather fortnightly dances, as well as occasional concerts and mixed entertainments, and our thanks are due to Mr. Batson, of Te Awamutu, who has organized these latter. A tennis-court for the use of patients and staff has been laid out, and a bowling-green is in course of construction. Divine services are held fortnightly . In conjunction with the Wharepapa Road Board, who are supplying Mount Eden metal while we are providing labour and river-shingle top-dressing, the road is being made from Te Mawhai Station. Our water-supply has been a source of great anxiety. Owing to increased consumption, and the fact that the well is yielding a lessened amount, it is becoming more and more difficult to supply the needs of the institution, and we find it quite impossible to have an adequate reservain case of fire. Work on the farm has gone on fairly well, although with the class of patient hare, and the absence of admissions to help matters, the amount of paid farm labour which it is necessary to employ is greater than it should be. However, when the proposal to hand over the working of the greater part of the estate to the Prisons Department is carried into effect this disability should be considerably lessened. I have to thank the staff for their loyal co-operation in the work of the institution. PORIRUA MENTAL HOSPITAL. Dr. Jeffreys reports : — At the beginning of the year there were 1,060 patients (598 males and 462 females) in this institution. Exclusive of transfers from other institutions, there were 245 admissions (127 males and 118 females), and of these 39 (14 males and 15 females) were readmissions. On the 31st