The Evening Star. MONDAY, JULY 27, 1874.

Evening Star, Issue 3565, 27 July 1874, Page 2

The Evening Star. MONDAY, JULY 27, 1874.

Oun readers will probably remember that the services of Dr Paley were obtained by the New Zealand Government about two years ago, to inquire into the state ox the Lunatic Asylums in New Zealand. The results of this inspection have Just been laid before the Houses of the General Assembly in the form of a report. Dr Paley is decidedly not in favor of the plan which has been more than once proposed, of abolishing the asylums which exist in the various capitals of the Provinces, and substituting for them one, or at the most two central establishments. It is, of course, evident that one establishment could be maintained at a much less annual expenditure than many small ones, while more efficient management could be secured in a cen-

tralised institution titan in one where there can be little or no division of labor, as far as the superior officers, at all events, are concerned ; but, at the same time, in a country like New Zealand, where the different towns are so very far apart, it would be almost impossible to convey patients to a central asylum without seriously endangering their lives. Besides this, there is the difficulty of bringing convalescents into immediate contact with their friends and relations. Dr Paley says, “Nothing so much tends to help their progress towards recovery as the presence or personal sympathy of relations or friends in whom they can. have confidence and trust. Hie reports on each particular institution are, on the whole, very favorable. We must, however, except the Wellington Asylum. The system adopted at .this place seems to have been to trust in Providence for the cure of the patients, and to give them an occasional dose of castor oil or some other aperient. This, with the strait waistcoat, formed the materia medica in use at Karori, where the Wellington Asylum was situated. DrPALEVsays that he thinks the patients at this establishment would be benefited if “ a few additions in the way of table appliances were made. They might have tablecloths, knives and forks, plain cruet stands, &c., and the joints and

puddings might be placed on the table in separate dishes, and carved and distributed by the attendants as in a private house.” We should rather think they might indeed. On the whole, we cannot feel particularly sorry when we learn further on in the' Report that this “ Home” is to be abolished, and that the Government have undertaken to construct a new asylum on a better site and on an improved plan. It is to be hoped that the improved plan will include some sort of alteration in the mode of management, as well as in architectural details; if peopleare so unfortunate as to become insane, that is hardly a reason why they should be treated like pigs. The report on the Dunedin Asylum is, we arc very glad to say, altogether different in tone from the one just referred to ; though Dr Paley finds a good deal to complain of in the way of insufficient accommodation for the large number of patients at the Asylum, he gives most unequivocal testimony with regard to the diligence and success of those engaged in conducting it. He says “The patients were orderly, clean, and well cared-for in appearance, and the whole establishment bore evidence of watchful care and skilful management. This is satisfacW, an y rate. There is on© suggesin the report that is well worth special consideration. It is to the effect that the establishment of a middle-class department at the Asylum would be, if not absolutely necessary, at all events highly desirable. To those who have but little acquaintance with

the diseases which go under the general name of insanity, or rather those who have never had to deal with insane persons, such a suggestion would probably appear to be rather—well, let us say, snobbish. Why, it might be asked, should fish be made of one and flesh of the other But those who have had to deal with insane persons quite understand that it is a matter of the greatest importance that such persons should, as far as possible, be removed from everything that can possibly cause annoyance, disgust, or worry of any kind. Now suppose that a person who has been accustomed to be surrounded by all the comforts and elegancies of life becomes insane ; that he or she is removed to the Lunatic Asylum, and remains more or less secluded till a partial cure is effected. If such a person be now required to associate with persons who must from the

nature of things think differently, speak differently, and, in short, cause irritation in numberless ways, it is evident that the recovery of such a person may be very seriously retarded. Now admitting for the sake of argument that these trifling social distinctions are a matter of very little moment to sensible people, yet it must be admitted that there are very many who think them of very great importance indeed ; and it will scarcely be said, even by the most ardent supporters of the doctrine of perfect social equality, that the Lunatic Asylum is the proper place in which to make converts to the doctrine, ' or that lunatics are exactly the sort of persons that they wish to convert. The main object to be aimed at in establishments of this kind is to cure the patients ; and every means should be used to bring about this desirable end. As the proposed middle-class department would in all probability be able to deal satisfactorily with cases that cannot be dealt with at present, we say by all means let such a department be established. Dr Paley, in common with nearly all authorities on the subject, is strongly in favor of the establishment of a special and separate department for the treatment of inebriates. The following is a summary of the suggestions made, and which is given at the end of the report:—

_ 1* Appoint a duly qualified medical practitioner, having knowledge and experience in the treatment of the insane and management of asylums, to be the Inspector of all the asylums in the Colony.

2. Appoint a resident medical superintendent Ho every asylum containing 100 patience or upwards.

3. Let every asylum containing fewer than 100 patients be visited at least once a day by a qualified medical practitioner. I. Appoint a local inspector of every lunatic asylum, who shall receive a salary and shall perform the duties prescribed by Act.

5. Provide for every asylum (in addition to medical attendant, steward, matron, cook, laundresses, &c.) a stuff consisting of one attendant to every ten patients ; let there be a male night attendant for each male division, and a female night attendant for each female division ; let night attendants be free from day duty, and let no male attendant or servant or patient be allowed in the female division of the Asylum, or vice versa , without an order from the responsible officer of the establishment. 6. Make provision for the reception and treatment of middle-class private patients apart from paupers, and prohibit the association of inebriate patients witt other insane persons of any class. 7. Allow idiots and imbeciles who are dangerous to themselves or others, and are thereby unfit to be at large, to be admitted for care and treatment into the Public Asylum of the Colony, 8. Give to all who are employed in asylum duties a regular increment or salary up to a fixed maximum, and make provision for superannuation allowances such as are to be found in the Victoria Lunacy Statute,