H.—7

10

There has been a satisfactory absence of accidents and casualties, only one of a serious nature being recorded. This involved a fracture of the jaw of a male patient; a prosecution of the attendant under suspicion has been directed, and the matter is at present sub judice. There has been a falling-off in the quality ol the answers to examination-papers for registration of mental nurses. Last year this Hospital stood first on the list of averages. This lack of interest on the part ol the candidates is very disappointing. During the visit I observed surveyors taking levels for the Wolfe Bequest Hospital preparatory to calling for tenders. I trust that it will soon be erected. This special Hospital is designed for 39 patients —subjects of incipient or early mental disorder. The house for the Medical Superintendent is nearing completion; and as his present residence communicates directly with the women's side of the main building, with very little alteration it will greatly increase our accommodation for patients. Having in view the great extension of this city, and the need for future accommodation, Dr. Beattie and I inspected the estate for sites for additions. I agree with him that the most desirable scheme should provide for a hospital for noisy and exfiited patients at the Reef, where the Mental Hospital owns a considerable property of no agricultural value. The Reef is sufficiently near to permit of Dr. Beattie's supervision, and sufficiently remote from neighbours not to disturb the general public. At present the only part of the women's side of the Hospital suitable for noisy patients is near the high road. The separation of the disturbed —that is, of the disturbing patients —would give the requisite accommodation for very complete classification. At the present visit I was pleased to observe an almost complete absence of noise, and remarked on the very orderly conduct at meals. The extension and completion of the kitchen is a great boon. I mus,', again record the great and untiring interest taken by the Deputy Inspector and Official Visitors in this Hospital, and my pleasure in finding everything satisfactory. The statutory books were examined, and found neatly kept and up to date. Christchubch Mental Hospital. 20th October, 1908. I visited this institution on the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th October. The statistics hereafter refer to the state of things on the 19th. As at my last visit I made no entry in the Inspector's book, I shall now rev'ew events from 30th January, a period of about eight months and a half. There are on the register 586 patients (males, 312 ; females, 274), of whom 34 (m., 27 ; f., 7) are absent on probation, leaving 552 (m., 285 ; f., 267) resident. This means an addition of 28 patients (m., 10 ; i., 18) to the register, and of 11 to the number actually resident. During the same period 87 patients (m., 48 ; f., 39) have been admitted, and 59 (in., 38 ; f., 21) have been written off the register ; of these, 24 (m., 18 ; f., 6) died, 3 (m., 2 ; f., 1) were discharged unrecovered, and 32 (m., 18 ; f., 14) recovered. On the 30th January there were resident 45 patients (m., 23 ; f., 22) in whom recovery was deemed possible, and among the 87 since admitted the provisional prognosis made on first admission shows that 47 (m., 23 ; f., 24) were classed as persons for whom the prospect of recovery was more or less possible, and 40 as likely to become a permanent addition to the population. Deducting those who recovered during the period under review, those in whom the provisional prognosis had to be altered after further observa'ion "and deaths among those whose malady was not chronic, there are now resident 38 (m., 20 ; f., 18) who are deemed recoverable. These patients are receiving careful consideration, and of the remaining patients the following need special treatment for the reasons assigned : — Male. Female. Total. Epileptics .. .. .. .. ..21 25 46 General paralytics .. .. .. .. ..3 1 4 Suicidal .. .. .. .. ..2 2 4 Dangerous (not included above) . . .. . . 5 8 13 Liable to be wet and dirty .. . . .. 33 73 106 Actually wet and dirty .. . . .. 18 3 21 The last item, the reduction of a possible 73 and an actual 3, is a tribute to the night nurses. The patients continue to be actively and usefully employed, thus stimulating recovery, and contributing to contentment. Only 74 (m., 38 ; f., 36) do no work, owing either to refusal or to physical or mental unfitness. The workers are classified as follows :— Male. Female. Total. Farm'and garden .. .. .. .. 133 .. 133 Ward.. .. .. .. .. ..90 136 226 Workshops 12 12 24 Laundry 4 27 31 Kitchen .. .. .. .. ..8 12 20 Domestic .. .. .. .. .... 1 1 Needlework .. .. .. .. .... 43 43 247 231 478 The proportion of nursing staff to patients is : — Day nurses .. .. . . .. .. . . .. Ito 10-54 Day attendants .. .. .. .. .. .. Ito 10-4 Night nurses .. .. .. .. .. . • .. Ito 137 Night attendants . . .. . . .. .. .. Ito 156,