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Suggestions for a Cottage Asylum. (With Plans)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Extract

My attention to the cottage system for the accommodation of chronic lunatics was revived soon after my appointment to the Gloucester County Asylum, by my finding that institution in a crowded condition; and although it possessed one cottage which answered well, there were no means of increased accommodation. The visiting magistrates of the asylum personally inspected the different workhouses belonging to the several unions in the county, and reported that they were not in a fit condition to receive harmless and chronic cases. Upon this, I addressed several questions to my brother superintendents, in order that I might have their opinions as to the best means to be provided for receiving the increased numbers that annually come to the portals of the county asylum for admission. I felt considerable diffidence in giving my opinion in favour of any innovation which had for its object the important plan of an altered system for the provision and treatment of any of the insane poor, or the so-called “chronic and harmless” lunatics. I have since then given the subject considerable thought and attention, the result of which has been to convince me that the cottage plan for asylums is the best means for the provision and treatment of the insane, as well as for relieving the present overcrowded condition of some of the county lunatic asylums. Previous to laying my plans and observations before the members of the association, I would take this the earliest opportunity that has arisen of acknowledging the kind and ready way in which so many of the members replied to the questions which I sent to them in reference to this subject.

Type
Part I.—Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1864

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References

Among the male patients at the Gloucester Asylnm, I have 54 daily employed in domestic work, and out of this number I could select more than the proportion required for the necessary amount of cooking for the male division. Of course there would be found no difficulty with respect to the females.Google Scholar

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