DUNEDIN LUNATIC ASYLUM.

Evening Star, Volume III, Issue 807, 6 December 1865, Page 2

DUNEDIN LUNATIC ASYLUM.

(Continued from, our last.)

As might be supposed, in an asylum yet in its infancy there is a wide field of labour, whether for inmates or others ; but as the inmates have already, under competent directors, accomplished so much, we suppose that the further works proposed in the report to be entered upon will be allowed to remain as much as possible in their hands. From what we gather from the report, still greater improvements are projected. At present the Asylum is insufficiently supplied with water either for culinary or sanitary purposes, an evil serious enough in ordinary circumstances, but one which would be increased a thousandfold in the case of an emergency such as that of fire. In the vicinity, however, a large stream is ever issuing from a spring, and it is proposed to construct a reservoir within or close to the Asylum, and to convey the water from the spring into it by tubing. This work, it is said, can be accomplished by the inmates, the Government providing the necessary material. It were superfluous to point out the advantages that would be derived were this suggestion carried into effect. Apart altogether from other considerations, in the event of fire breaking out —a calamity too dreadful to contemplate—in existing circumstances the salvation of the Asylum would be almost if not utterly hopeless; but with an abundant supply of water on the spot, and hose and other necessary apparatus, the entire block of buildings might be saved. It is earnestly to be hoped that a matter of so much importance will receive the consideration which it deserves. These and other improvements outside the buildings are spoken of, and should the same rate of progress which has characterised the last six months be continued, the Asylum will soon have attained to a great degree of perfection. In regal'd to the internal improvements, it is intended, the report states, to convert one of the apartments into a day room for the convalescent patients, with bagatelle boards, draughts, &c., provided for their use. This is well, but we think the addition of a library would prove of very great advantage. The idea of a library for the insane may sound strange to those altogether unacquainted with life in a lunatic asylum. There is, however, nothing irrational in it. Most of the inmates of such places are usually far from being confirmed, complete idiots. A number are only afflicted with periodical attacks of aberration ; others are simply monomaniacs, correct in everything save in the one particular delusion by which they are influenced; others, again, although coming under the meaning of the term imbecile, have still a certain degree of intelligence capable of being exercised and improved to some measure by suitable reading. Judging by the report, the Dunedin Asylum is no exception to the rule, and

making all allowance for the circumstance# which would tend to prevent benefit being derived from a library, it is evident that a large proportion of the patients, although unable to guide themselves aright in the outer world, are yet sufficiently rational to feel the deprivation of its advantages and enjoyments. For those whose state disqualifies them from perusing a volume with intelligence and profit illustrated periodicals could be provided. What such publications are to the child with its growing intelligence, so are they to the man of weakened intellect—they convey informamation, induce thoughtfulness, and afford pleasure. They would be useful, even though they led' to no greater result than that of cheering and enlivening the dreary existence of the imbecile.

One of the large wards already referred to, which is intended for the use of the female patients, has during the past winter been made available for the Friday evenings’ entertainments, and on Sundays for Divine service. In the event of an increase in the number of female patients, however, this ward will be required as a dormitory, and, unless another large room be provided, the patients will be deprived of a recreation hail. To prevent this, it is suggested in the report to remove to the Asylum one of the buildings ot the Hospital, so soon as the inmates of the latter have been transferred to the Exhibition Building. A suitable place would thus be provided as a chapel and dining and recreation hall, and the removal and reerection could be accomplished by the inmates and attendants of the Asylum at a very trifling cost. It is also proposed to add six or eight rooms to the Asylum for the accommodation of private patients. Reference is made in the report to the amusements already provided for the inmates. The opportunity of witnessing and taking part in these recreations has frequently, through the courtesy of the superintendent, been afforded us, and we can testify to the wise arrangement and good order which characterise them.. For a considerable time past there have been weekly entertainments (on the Friday evenings), to which a goodly number of citizens have been admitted. These entertainments consist of dances and concerts, with occasional dramatic performances. Most of the patients are present, and many of them join with the most exuberent delight in the songs and dances* and, on the - whole, conduct themselves in an orderly; discreet manner. That these entertainments have been productive of the happiest results is beyond all question, and the prohibition from attending them—a punishment sometimes inflicted, the report tells iis—is said to be the severest disciplinary _ measure that can be resorted to, and is generally effectual in producing good behaviour. At first a certain degree of painful emotion is likely to be awakened in the mind of the sensitive and thoughtful visitor by the display on the part of the inmates of their peculiar idiosyncracies, but the joyous scene before him very speedily dispels any serious Contemplation, and he is made, for the time being, to forget that he is among those who are afflicted with the worst of all the ills that flesh is heir to. Of course, in such a motley assemblage there is a great variety of character, and the particular and varied delusions of the patients often manifest themselves with the greatest ludicrousness. One inmate, a man of a quiet, amiable temperament, who is read deeply in Shaksperian lore* and entertains a high sense of his powefs as an elocutionist, adds his moiety to the entertainment of the evening by reciting tbe address of Hamlet’s father’s ghost, “ The Seven Ages of Man,” “ All the world’s a stage,” See., and, if permitted, would go on repeating w'ith the most astonishing accuracy whole pages from the poet’s works. Another delights in heipg allowed to display his musical powers, and bellows forth lustily and earnestly in'the most ludicrous manner, “ I ’m on the sea,” _ accompanying the chorus with a kind of one-leg dance. Another, a young lady of graceful appearance, one whose sun of prosperity has evidently beamed brightly upon her in days gone by, but whos« trained and polished mind has now become a hopeless wreck amid ever-haunting delusions, sings with uncommon sweetness but melancholy appropriateness, “ The light of other days is faded,” and “Shades of evening fall not o’er us.” (To be contimied.)