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LUNATIC ASYLUM

Of the 48 cases remaining at the end of last year (1862), 3 have died. 1. H. H., female, aged 42 years. Admitted March 19th, 1861.

The symptoms were violently maniacal, and were induced by habits of intemperance. She died suddenly on July 13, 1863. Rupture of blood-vessel was found, also a large quantity of serum. 2nd. A. M'F., female, aged 17 years. Admitted December 7, 1858, with congenital idiocy, dependent on imperfect development of the brain, and producing not only idiocy, but arrested and distorted physical development. She died on October 25th, 1863. 3rd. J. R., male, aged 69 years. Admitted October 30th, 1862, in a state of helpless imbecility, and died on November 28, 1863.

Seventeen cases were admitted during the year, viz., 13 males and 4 females, all Europeans. Of these 2 have died.

1st. A. S., male, aged 39 years. Admitted April 30th, 1863, with maniacal symptoms, induced by intemperate habits. He gradually sank, and died on July 13th, 1863. His brain was found hardened; it weighed 3 1/2 lbs. Arachnoid membrane opaque and thickened.

2. J. S., male, aged 25 years, admitted June 1, 1863, and next morning was found dead in his cell, hanging by the neck from the grating of the window. A coroner's inquest was held on his body by the Resident Magistrate, when a verdict was returned of suicide while labouring under mental alienation.

Of the old cases, 3 have been discharged:-

1. J. B., male, aged 25 years, admitted January 11, 1861, for dementia. After a sojourn of a year and three-quarters, he was discharged to proceed to Melbourne, in accordance with the wish of his friends.

2. J. C., male, aged 31 years, admitted January 17, 1862, for melancholia. He improved considerably, and was discharged August 6th, 1863.

3rd. A. S., male, aged 26 years, admitted on October 13, 1862, with dementia. Had a violent attack of dysentery, on recovering from which his reason returned to a good measure, and he was discharged under the care of his friends on April 27, 1863.

4th. M. T., female, aged 23 years, admitted on October 17, 1863, with melancholia (under influence of which she had attempted suicide). Improved considerably, and was taken out by her friends on March 2, 1863.

Six of the new cases have been discharged.

1. J. G., male, aged 60 years, admitted July 7, 1863 for monomania, and discharged to the custody of his friends September 9, 1863.

2. G. A., male, aged 30 years, admitted on July 8, 1863, in a state of maniacal excitement from drink. Soon improved when debarred from liquor, and was discharged August 6, 1863.

3. P. H., male, aged 35 years, admitted July 17, 1863, with chronic mania. After a time he became rational, and was discharged on September 29th ult. He has been earning his livelihood since.

4. J. H. P., male, aged 23 years, seaman, admitted on September 23rd, in a state of maniacal excitement occasioned by a quarrel with the captain of his ship. He was discharged quite well on September 29.

5. M. W., female, aged 23 years, admitted October 2nd, for a violent paroxysm of mania, or rather of hysteria, caused by anxiety on her husband’s account, who was in the Militia. She was discharged in a calm state on October 28th ult.

6. H. B., surgeon, aged 50 years, admitted maniacal from drinking, on December 3rd. In a few days he became rational, and was discharged on December 17.

At the end of 1863, there remained in the Asylum, 49 inmates, viz., 33 males and 16 females, including 5 Maoris, 4 men and 1 woman.

For the most part, the lunatic patients have been very healthy. Much benefit is expected from the industrial system which is to be introduced into the new Asylum.

PRISONS

Nothing noteworthy has occurred in either of the Prisons in a medical point of view. The health of the prisoners has been good, and no death has occurred in the Stockade.

An aged female, imprisoned in the City Gaol, while undergoing her sentence, fell into very infirm health, and was removed to the Provincial Hospital, where she died.

In both prisons the want of an infirmary, or sick room, is much felt, and when any dangerous illness occurs, the patient is usually removed to the Provincial Hospital.

Sentence of death by hanging was carried into effect in one instance on Richard Harper, within the precincts of the Mount Eden Stockade, on the 22nd September, 1863.

T. M. PHILSON, M.D.,
Provincial Surgeon.