DR. SKAE’S REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 972, 7 August 1877, Page 3

DR. SKAE’S REPORT ON LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Among the papers presented to Parliament, there is one of a very interesting character, by Dr. Skae, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums of the colony. It consists of several parts—the first being a general report on the asylums, with recommendations on the subjects of increased asylum accommodation, medical attendance, a central asylum, statistics of insanity, the cost of maintaining the insane, and the maintenance of private patients. The second part consists of appendices containing statistics of the asylums, and detailed reports on each oi the asylums visited by Dr. Skae since his arrival in the colony. The’third part consists of lithographed plans of each of the asylums, showing the distribution of the accommodation provided for patients. The general report affords abundance of matter for quotation and favourable comment, but meantime we quote only a few of the salient particulars, and that portion of the general report _in which reference is made to the Christchurch Asylum. From the figures given we learn that, on January Ist, 1877, the numbor of lunatics in asylums in the colony was 783, thus distributed: —Auckland, 303 ; New Plymouth, I; Napier, 15 ; Wellington, 92; Nelson, 40 ; Hokitika, 57 ; Christchurch, 191 ; Dunedin, 235. Dr Skae reports that, with the exception of those of Nelson, Napier, and New Plymouth, all the asylums are overcrowded, and must be condemned as altogether unsuited for the requirements of the insane. In estimating Ihe extent to which asylum accommodation of a proper kind already exists, with a view to the consideration of what further provision is necessary, he states! that the whole of the Dunedin asylum should bo excluded, because, although some parts of it are passable, the greater part is altogether objectionable. He adds that the whole of the male department of the Christchurch Asylum, the “back ward” of the Wellington one, the wooden cells which have been tacked on to the back of the Auckland one, and the whole of the New Plymouth and Napier ones must be also set aside. He estimates, from the annual average increase of sixty in the number of patients during the last four years, that by the end of the year 1880 there will be upwards of 1000 patients in the colony, or 730 in excess of the present accommodation. His summary report on the Christchurch Asylum is as follows :

The Christchurch Asylum is situated about two miles from the city, and has fifty acres of very good land attached to it. It consists at present of two buildings ; the old wooden one, which is now entirely occupied by the male patients, and one wing of a new concrete asylum, which is intended to contain, when completed, 500 patients, and is now occupied by the women. The male department is calculated to accommodate about 60 patients, and now contains 121. It is in many respects very badlyconstructed, and owing to this defect, and to the dreadful degree to which it is now crowded, it is almost a mockery to call it an Asylum at all. Immediately after the; supper the furniture has to bo cleared out of the day-rooms in order that they may be converted into dormitories ; and in wet weather, when the patients cannot get out to the dismal high-walled airing yards, the Superintendent frequently feels compelled to put numbers of the excitable and dangerous ones to bed for fear of serious quarrels. Despite the crowded condition of this department, its management is such as to reflect great credit on Mr Seager and his staff of attendants, but it is obvious that its utility as a place of treatment is greatly impaired by the fact that much of their time is occupied in guarding against accidents and disasters, which it is a matter of astonishment are not of almost daily occurrence. The new Asylum, though there arc some inconvenient faults in the plan of its’construction, is a line commodious building, admirably adapted for its purpose, and of which any county in England might justly be proud. The furniture and internal fittings are excellent; and the management and condition of the patients are in a high degree satisfactory. There is_ a detached building in the grounds which is intended for inebriate patients ; but it is also used for private patients of a better class. Several of the married male attendants have cottages (which arc rather 100 small) within the grounds. There is no proper house for the sujieriutendcnt and his family, who, me mtime, occupy ini comfortable quarters in the old Asylum. This is a very serious defect, which should receive immediate attention.

The plans for a portion of the male wing of the new Asylum, sufficient to accommodate 15U patients, are now nearly ready; and it is a matter of urgent necessity that so much of the building should he erected without delay, but it does not appear advisable to build an Asylum for 500 patients, as originally contemplated, unless additional ground can bo got. Plenty of land, to allow scope for unlimited exercise and occupation for the patients, is one of the chief requisites of a modern Asylum ; and fifty acres for 500 patients is totally inadequate. In his detailed report of his inspection of the same asylum, in December last, Dr Skae says ;—“ The management of this asylum redacts the highest credit on Mr Scager. A o one can inspect it without being struck with the abundant evidence of his ability and untiring devotion to his patients. Nothing hut a very high sense of duty could enable anyone to contend as be does against the incessant and disheartening troubles caused by (he excessive crowding of the male department.” To other portions of Dr Skac’s report reference will be made at another time.