The British Journal of Psychiatry (2003) 182: 459
© 2003 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
London County Asylum, Claybury (Report for the year ended March 31st, 1902)
Researched by Henry Rollin, Emeritus Consultant Psychiatrist, Horton
Hospital, Epsom, Surrey
The average number of patients resident during the year was 2431,
comprising 1015 males and 1416 females. The admissions during the year
amounted to 426 — viz., 131 males and 295 females. Of these 364 were
first admissions. Dr. Robert Jones, the medical superintendent, states in his
report that the general character of the admissions was unsatisfactory as
regards prospect of recovery. 38 per cent. of the admissions were over 60
years of age and over 16 per cent. of the males were suffering from general
paralysis. 14 per cent. of the males and 9 per cent. of the females were
admitted suffering from alcoholic insanity, "although as a predisposing
cause the percentage is probably higher." It is interesting to notice,
adds Dr. Jones, that the two classes which furnished the greatest number of
male admissions were described as "clerks" and "persons of
no occupation." The number of patients discharged as recovered during
the year amounted to 148, comprising 52 males and 96 females, or 6·1
per cent. of the average number resident. The deaths during the year amounted
to 201, or 8·27 per cent. as calculated on the same basis.
"Asylum dysentery attacked 40 males and 81 females, and was responsible
for 21 deaths, or over 10 per cent. of the total deaths." Death was due
to cancer of the stomach in six cases, renal disease in seven cases, epilepsy
in eight cases, pneumonia in 14 cases, senile decay in 15 cases, colitis in 21
cases, cardiac disease in 24 cases, pulmonary and other forms of tuberculosis
in 25 cases, general paralysis of the insane in 50 cases, and other causes in
the rest. Two patients who were pregnant upon admission were safely delivered.
There has been, with the exception of colitis, no outbreak of zymotic disease
during the year. The Commissioners in Lunacy state in their report that the
wards were in excellent order, that the day-rooms were comfortable and
cheerful, that the dormitories were clean and well aired, and that the medical
case-books and records were very well kept. The sub-committee of management
states in its report that owing to the drought the crops and farm produce
showed a considerable falling off during the year. The sum of £9320 was
spent during the year upon improvements, alterations, and repairs.
REFERENCES
Lancet, 6 December 1902, p.
1572.
