DUNEDIN LUNATIC ASYLUM SCANDAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2903, 15 July 1882, Page 2

DUNEDIN LUNATIC ASYLUM SCANDAL.

[By Telegbaph.j Dunedin, July 14. Some interest has been created by the publication of the report by Mr Bradshaw, Inspector of the Lunatic Asylum here, concerning the inmates of the Asylum, whom he alleged to be sane. In one case, that of “ B. W.” be alleges the man was committed without, a warrant, was twice discharged, on the first examination as sane, but the third time was detained as being’ decidedly insane. It is understood Mr Bradshaw refers to this case- to show that such persons on being sent to the Asylum merely for examination , should be kept separate from lunatics, in whoso company at present they have to sleep, etc..

Another case is that of “A.T.A.,” who, when Mr Bradshaw saw him, was he alleged, sane, and had complained to him that he had been kept there ten years, “ long enough to make „= him mad.” Mr Bradshaw says :—After consulting Dr Neill, I have come to the conclusion, from what he says and from observation, that this patient is not insane and ought to be discharged. He is a strong, healthy-looking person, and ought to he able, from his appearance, to earn his living outside of the Asylum. lam of opinion that he is not mad, and I feel that it is my duty to say so.” In reference to this case, Dr McGregor, Professor of the University and Medical Inspector of the Lunatic Asylum, has written to the papers stating there can be no doubt of the man’s insanity, and says.:—“About seven , years ago the Hon Captain Fraser, as Inspector, was misled just-as Mr Bradshaw has been by the man’s plausibility, and. thought it his' duty to bring this man’s case before the Supreme Court with the result that his insanity was proved to the satisfaction of every intelligent person, and the Judge sent him back to the Asylum,” A reporter of the “ Star’’ to-day interviewed Mr Hume, the former Superintendent of the Asylum about the case, and publishes the following; —“ Mr Hume states that this man, who at one time held a good position, has’ a craze about electricity, and until this subject'is touched on, he appears quite sane. He imagines that everything is clothed or charged with electricity; that trees are covered with electricity as with, snow; that his body is enveloped with electricity rings; and vessels are propelled with electricity. and that there are persons who discharge electricity into his body. Under the latter delusion he on one occasion attacked a man who was on the same steamer with him when coming from Sydney. .This 1 is the only instance of violence on record, and he was considered quite harmless. During the visit of the Marquis of Normanby and Sir James Ferguson to the Asylum, ho asserted that ‘clouds of electricity ’ had passed from their stomachs into his. He thought ho received telegrams through the air, and he asserto l that ho had visited places at certain times where he had not been, being under .the eyes of his friends at the time. Ho also frequently assorted he could hear people speaking to him from Port Chalmers and Invercargill. ‘A. T. A.’s ’ insanity was brought about by 1 drink. He consumed a bottle of pale brandy every day for some time. Prior to his admittance into .the Asylum he had free intercourse .with the public. The authorities had frequently offered to hand him over to the care of any of his friends, as ho was quite harmless, but none of them would accept the charge. In tho opinion of Mr Hume and the Medical Superintendent, the, man is undoubtedly insane, and they believe that on his arrival in England, if not taken charge of by his brother, to whom ho lias gone, he will bo locked ujp in some lunatic asylum there.”

Mr Bradshaw now further states that Dr Neill, the present Medical Superintendent, discharged the man as cured on the 27th May last, and so matters stand at present.