The British Journal of Psychiatry (2000) 176: 195-196
© 2000 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Glasgow District Asylum, Gartloch (Report for the year ending May 5th 1899)
Researched by Henry Rollin, Emeritus Consultant Psychiatrist, Horton
Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
The average number of patients resident in the asylum during the year was
465 and comprised 236 males and 229 females. The total admissions during the
year were 203 - viz., 111 males and 92 females. Of these 140 were first
admissions. Dr. L. R. Oswald, the medical superintendent, states in his report
that seven of those admitted were over 70 years of age, two being over 85
years. "The nursing of these old people demands the greatest care and
tact, for they are specially liable to accidents by reason of their frail
condition and interfering ways. They must be kept apart from the acute and
excited cases." Alcoholic intemperance is set down as having been the
cause of the insanity in 50 of the persons admitted, but in many of these -
as, indeed, in other cases - the illness was not due to one but to several
causes, of which intemperance was the most prominent. "Intemperance,
along with an enfeebled bodily condition, acting in conjunction with prolonged
worry or mental strain, or following an influenzal attack, but with
intemperance as the main factor," was the cause of insanity in the 50
cases referred to. General paralysis as a condition existed in 9 per cent. of
the admissions, and in 16 per cent. a hereditary predisposition to insanity
was established. The difficulty of obtaining reliable family histories was so
great that it is considered probable that the proportion with hereditary taint
was higher. During the year 98 patients were discharged as recovered, or 21
per cent. of the average population. Boarding-out, as a means of dealing with
quiet and harmless cases, was largely practised during the year. 44 patients
were thus sent out, but of that number seven were returned to the asylum for
further observation. The deaths during the year numbered 38, or 8 per cent. of
the average number resident. Of the deaths two were attributed to senile
decay, three to cerebral haemorrhage, seven to phthisis and tuberculosis, and
11 to general paralysis. There were 11 escapes during the year, seven of these
being effected by patients on parole. The privilege of parole is extended to
from 20 to 25 per cent. of the patients and it is much appreciated and seldom
abused. Influenza visited the institution but it was not virulent; it lowered
the health of many members of the staff, but was not in any case fatal. Work,
especially out-of-door employment on farm and garden, for men and women has
benefited many. The treatment of acute and curable cases by prolonged rest in
bed has been practised with success. Recreation and treatment go hand-in-hand,
the grounds adjoining the Loch affording a delightful summer resort for
suitable cases. The Nurses' Home is now well on its way to completion and it
is now ready for occupation.
REFERENCES
Lancet, 18 January 1900,
124.
