7

H.—7

attendants suffer in comparison with those at Home simply because the less average duration of their service and experience is rooted deeply in the conditions of our colonial labour-market. The Asylum is in admirable order throughout. The laying-out of the grounds and airing-courts is steadily going on, and I am thankful that the money required to keep it up has been voted. 7th February, 1903. —I was engaged to-day hi examining the site for the new wooden building which it has been decided to erect here at once, in order as speedily as possible to cope with the overcrowding, especially at Mount View. Nothing but the extreme urgency of providing immediate relief could justify the erection of a wooden building in any modern asylum. At present only one wing for dormitories and attendants' rooms is to be proceeded with, and I hope the remaining parts will be built of brick. I saw all the patients who were under medical treatment, and found the Asylum as a whole working well. 20th May, 1903. —I examined every part of this institution, and saw all the patients except one or two whose absence was explained. On the female side none were confined to bed, and on the male side only a few, all of whom I visited. The dinner was good and well cooked. All the patients are warmly clad. The staff is working well. Great credit is due to Dr. Barraclough for the enthusiasm with which he has inspired the staff for amusing the patients. The new Official Visitor, Mr. Bradey, has long been interested in the Asylum. lam very pleased with my visit. Wellington Asylum. 4th September, 1902. —I have made an inspection of the Asylum and found everything in good order. Several matters in connection with the administration were discussed with Dr. Gow. The convalescent and recent cases were examined. I carefully inquired into the circumstances surrounding the case of patient E. Another case of a convalescent patient was carefully examined, and decision delayed pending inquiry into the provision made for her reception at home by her friends. The dinner was good, the clothing sufficient. I inquired into the causes of the frequent changes in the staff. 17th January, 1903. —Found everything in good order. Two new cases of measles are isolated. Dr. Ulrich has entered on his duties. I saw all the patients with him who are confined to bed 30th January, 1903.—Have been all over the grounds and outbuildings. Found everything going well. Ashburn Hall, Dunedin. 15th October, 1902.—1 have seen and conversed with, and considered the mental and bodily condition of, all the patients at this licensed house. I am satisfied that every case is being carefully and kindly treated, and that the utmost liberty is granted to every one, so far as is consistent with safety. The sitting-rooms are all beautifully comfortable, and the bedrooms airy and clean. Dr. Hay explained to me his plans for improving Tuke Ward, and they will greatly add to the comfort of the patients by giving them a large and sunny day room. Nothing could be homelier and kindlier than the general effect of the institution. 2nd March, 1903. —I have seen all the patients, and discussed their condition with Dr. Hay. No one is unnecessarily detained, and all are being carefully treated. The bedrooms, beds, &c, are all in excellent order. The rooms and furniture are very comfortable, and manifest a high degree of aesthetic skill both in structure and ornamentation. The new extension on the male side will greatly add to the comfort of the inmates. The administration is excellent, and the attention that is given to each individual case ought to reassure all friends and relatives that the utmost care is exercised in doing everything possible to hasten recovery.

MEDICAL SUPEBLNTENDENTS' BEPOBTS.

AUCKLAND ASYLUM. Sir, — I have the honour to submit to you my report for 1902. The number of patients at present in the Asylum is 538—a net increase for the year of 28. The number of admissions has once more been large. We have again, however, been fortunate in having a comparatively small female admission-rate : only 33 females were admitted during the year, out of a total of 117 of both sexes. I exceedingly regret that we continue to lack sufficient female, and particularly refractory female, accommodation. Our work in consequence has been much hampered, and our patients subjected to treatment cruel and unwarrantable. Particularly was this so during an extraordinary epidemic of gastro-enteritis. The majority of the male attendants, nearly every nurse, and about two hundred and fifty patients were attacked. The female division for weeks was then little better than a cesspool, and had it not been for the self-sacrifice and devotion of the few nurses who were not attacked, or who were able at once to resume duty after recovery from attack, the consequences would probably have been most serious. The death-rate (only one death was directly due to the disease amongst the males, and none amongst the females) tells its own tale of duty faithfully and unflinchingly performed. It should be pointed out that this epidemic was not the ordinary asylum diarrhoea which is so prevalent at Home. Many theories have been advanced respecting it, but I maintain that it was imported from South Africa, and my opinion is supported by a medical man who visited the asylum during the epidemic, and who informed me that he had many eases of the. same kind under his care in South Africa.