Report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum, at the Epiphany Sessions, 1856 / [Hants County Lunatic Asylum].

  • Hampshire County Lunatic Asylum.
Date:
[1856?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Committee of Visitors of the County Lunatic Asylum, at the Epiphany Sessions, 1856 / [Hants County Lunatic Asylum]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    species of Insanity in which a steady pursuance is more requisite. Occupation, by carrying the thoughts from self, and creating an interest in external objects, is most useful in this form of disorder; but opiates are indispensable, and tonic medicines are constantly indicated. On an average, about 45 Patients have been under daily treatment during the past year, and the majority for this form of disorder. The only accident that has happened in the House, during the past 12 months, occurred to a Patient of this class, an unfortunate woman, who entirely destroyed her eyesight whilst laboring under a fit of despondency. In this instance personal restraint was subsequently employed for a short period; the Patient having had her hands loosely tied to the Bedstead, but she has never since been left unwatched, even for a moment. Every precaution, (short of restraint), to prevent suicide had been used, and there was no reason to apprehend, (from any communication of the Friends of the Party), an accident of the character described. It is much to be regretted, that the Friends of Patients too frequently withold information with reference to them, which would be useful to the Superintendent, and might occasionally prevent an accident, as it might possibly have done in the present instance. Cases of Dementia, unless acute, present no hopes of recovery, and but little of amendment. Dementia is nearly connected on the one hand, with Chronic Insanity, whilst, on the other, the history of the case alone can distinguish it from Idiocy. Patients, however suffering from this form of disease, though incapable of any mental exertion, are often usefully employed, if their bodily health admits, under the supervision of their Attendants, in Agricultural or Domestic pursuits.