SUNNYSIDE ASYLUM.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2281, 25 July 1881, Page 4

SUNNYSIDE ASYLUM.

[By Tblbgeaph.]

[tfBOH THIS OWN COEHESrONDENT OF THE "rHES3."I

WE Li LING-TON, July 22

The following ia Dr. SWb special report on the Ohnstchureh Asylum :—The number of patieuta on the Ist ot January wr.s 232 146 males and SS foi "iles. During tho year 44 males and 24 females vrero admitted for the first time, and 12 males and 6 females were re-admitted, and the total number under treatment was 321,202 males and 119 females. Of these thero were discharged as recovered 23 males and 19 femnles, und as relieved 7 male? ; 9 males and 7 females died, and at the end of the vear there were loft 163 males and 93 females,'in all 256, or 24 more than at the beginning of the previous y<;a>\ The recoveries show a p-TC-entsKO of 47.19 on the admission", and the deaths a percentage of 6.69 on the averago number of residents. Of the 16 deaths which occurred 6 were duo to Oi>rebral, 6 to thoracie, and 1 to abdominal disease, 1 to dropsy, 1 to rupture of the bowels, and 1 to suffocation by a piece of meat in the windpipe. I made an inspection of the Asylum in January, the report of which has alreaoy been published, and again on the 4th and sth of November. On this occasion the Asylum was under the charge of Dr. Hacon, the medical superintendent, who had entered upon his duties in September, and Mr Seager, tho former superintendent, having obtained a year's leave of absence, had left for England. I saw all the patients, 242 in number. Their condition generally speaking •was satisfactory, and with the exception of two or three noißy and excited females in the airing court, they are all very quiet and well behaved. None were in restraint. One p-.tient, a female suffering from puerperal mania, was in seclusion. Only 9 men were recorded in tho medical journal as restricted for exercise to the airing court. Almost all the others were taking extended exercise daily in the general grounds. The great change which had beon effeoted in this respect has had a very beneficial effect in promoting tranquility and contentment among the patients. All but. 36 men and 37>omen were registered as employed, and about 60 of the men were occupied in various kinds of labor out of doors. A portion of the male wing of the new building bad been completed, and was occupied by 25 working patients, and this had considerably relieved the crowded state of the old building. No drainage had been provided for the new asylum, and much inconvenience was felt in consequence, but a temporary arrangement, which seemed likely to answer until connection oould be made with the drainage of Addington, was shortly after resolved upon, and this will also provide for the north house, in the drainage of which no change has bean effeoted during the year. Ten patients escaped, and one of these was not brought back, although every effort was made to trace him. No residence having yet been provided for the medical superintendent he has since his appointment continued to occupy the north house, and the male inmates like the females are now received into the main building. This is not a satisfactory arrangement, but the best way of putting an end to it would be not to provide separate quarters for them in the Asylum grounds, but to out out the clause of the Aot which allowß them to be placed in a Xiunatio Asylum at all, and let them be committed to an institution specially adapted to their treatment. There were 1 male and 2 female inebriates in the Asylum at the beginning of the year, and during the year 6 males and 2 females were admitted, and 5 males and 4 females were discharged as recovered, and at the 3lßt December 2 males and no females were left. The Asylum was inspected and reported on once a month by the deputy inspector, who has from time to time made various suggestions, most of which have beon acted npon. The medical superintendent is conducting the management of the Asylum in a very able and energetio manner, and striving hard to bring it up to the Home standard ; but he has many difficulties to contend with which can only bo gradually removed. Great inconvenience is experienced from the unfinished state of the new buildin*;, the central block of which, containing the offices, kitchen, dining hall, &c, has not yet been begun. The water supply ia deficient, both for ordinary purposes and as a provision against fire. There is ample storage in the shape of tanks in the new building, but no means of raising the water to any of these has as yet been provided.