THE ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A LUNATIC PATIENT.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 937, 26 June 1877, Page 3

THE ALLEGED CRUELTY TO A LUNATIC PATIENT.

A statement having found currency that a man, who was committed to the Wellington Asylum two years ago in a state of sound bodily health, had just been discharged, reduced by the treatment there received to the condition of a helpless cripple for the remainder of his life, the Argus made full inquiry into the matter, and the facts of the ease, as represented, are as follows : The patient referred to, whose name is John Gooder, was admitted to the Asylum, about two years ago, sound in limb, but feeble in general health and weak on his legs, being advanced in years and mentally deranged. In November last G-ooder complained of pain in ln's left hip-joint, and stated that he had hurt it by falling in eonsccpience of a push received from one of the attendants, while lie was in the act of passing through the doorway between two of the yards attached to the asylum. The attendant, on being spoken to on the subject, denied that lie had pushed Gooder, and asserted that G-ooder, who, as already stated, was very feeble on his legs, fell while in the act of making a turn in the doorway, by catching his foot against the sill which is about four inches in height. On the patient being examined, no traces of any bruise were discovered, but he complained of pain and lameness, whieh evidently were caused by the state of his hipjoint. That joint was found to be somewhat swollen, apparently from the effects of a fall. In the opinion of the medical officer, a slight fall, in the case of a man advanced in years and feeble in condition would be sufficient to account for the injury. Neither shortening nor distortion was noticeable after the accident, and about a month after Gooder first complained of pain, its effects appeared to be passing away, but subsequently he complained of pain in the other leg which for a time was worse than the injured one. The ultimate result is that he probably is permanently crippled. None of the other attendants or patients seem to have witnessed the accident. Gooder frequently has stated since his discharge that he was kindly treated in the asylum, and had no apprehensions in case of being sent there again. His Worship the Mayor took the initiative in this matter, and on his representations an enquiry took place, when the above facts were elicited. ____