The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1878.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1432, 18 September 1878, Page 2

The Globe. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 1878.

Dr. Skae's report on the Lunatic Asylums of the colony has just been published. Wo are mostly interested in that portion of it referring to Sunnyside, which is by no means creditable to the colony as regards the overcrowding oj the malo side. Both by the inspector and the superintendent reports have been made from time to time to the Government as to the necessity of increased accommodation. It has been shown, as in the report before us, that tho overcrowding is productive of the worst results as regards tho recovery of the patients. Dr. Skae condemns tho present arrangements in no measured terms. He points out that tho cubic space per bed in the dormitories is about half what is considered the minimum allowance, and the air consequently becomes vitiated in the extreme. Besides this, all tho day rooms, from the insufficiency of tho accommodation, have to be used as dormitories. How can it be expocted that the work of curative treatment should go on with any chance of success under such a state of things ? In dealing with lunacy, more particularly in the colony, it is as essontial a portion of tho system of euro to keep tho body healthy as to restore tho mental balance. Indeed the condition of tho ono acts very beneficially or the contrary on the other. Thoreforo it is that the inmates of such an institution absolutely require a large amount of pure air and exercise, which under tho present system, Mr. Seager is totally unable to give. As to the exorcise yards, the Inspector points out that, from the overcrowding and necessarily close confinement, the inmates are rendered irritable, discontented, and excited, which must act unfavourably against the chances of recovery. Again, the Inspector brings pointedly under the notice of tho Government the fact that no amelioration of this unsatisfactory state of things can be looked for until the new malo wing is erected. This being the case, it is to be supposed that, with the report boforo them, tho Government will lose no time in commencing the new building. The plans have been prepared long since, and nothing need now delay the work being at once taken in hand. Every day that is lost might result in the confirmed loss of reason on tho part of the unfortunate inmates, whose condition is to a great extent aggravated by tho physical discomforts to which they are subject. Whilst pointing out the immediate necessity for a change, and the evil effect of tho present system, it may also be noted that tho results of tho year's work are exceedingly satisfactoiy. Notwithstanding the difficulties under which the superintendent has to dischargo his onerous duty, we find that during the year 51, discharges have been made. This, when we consider that tho total number of inmates is 204, is a vory large per-centage. It speaks vory highly of tho course of treatment pursued, that notwithstanding tho detects and want of accommodation, the number of cures should have been so large. This gives reason to hope that, when tho much-needed additional accommodation is provided, tho superintendent will be able to effect a still larger por-centago of cures than that now recorded. The remarks of the inspector as to tho North House, or what is known as the inebriate ward, fully bear out tho opinion which has long prevailed that such an establishment should be separate from tho Asylum, Pr, Skao points out

that at present it is utterly impossible for the treatment to have any good effect, and the mixing of inebriates and lunatics is productive of very bad results. If any good is to result from the maintenance of such an establishment it will be necessary to remove it from its present location, and place it under independent management, so that a fair trial may be given to the system. At present, so far as any permanent good is concerned, committals to the North House are a perfeet farce. It simply means enforced abstinence, stimulating a desire for still further excesses on liberty being regained, and in many cases the last stage is worse than the first. Whether any better results than have hitherto followed the carrying out of the system will arise if the connection with the Asylum is totally severed, remains to bo scon. The report of Dr. Skae very strongly points to the necessity of some such stops being taken. Wo hope that some of tho Canterbury members will move in the matter of inci'eased accommodation if the Government show no sign. The report is now before Parliament, and it is their duty to ixrgo upon the Government the carrying into effect of what has been shown to bo a pressing necessity. It is impossible that such a state of things as Dr. Skae depicts can be allowed to continue, and if the Government do not of their own motion take action, it is clearly incumbent on our representatives to take means to induco them to do so.