208 Auckland Provincial Government Gazette.

DIETARY.

The dietary scale has been liberal and varied as much as possible. Roast and boiled meats, vegetables, soup, tea, coffee, and bread and butter constitute the principal items of ordinary diet (see dietary scale in appendix), whilst medical comforts were ordered by the Resident Surgeon for such patients as required them.

BEDDING AND CLOTHING.

The beds chiefly employed are straw mattresses; these have answered in the majority of cases; they are especially suitable for patients of the wet and dirty class. Certain patients would be benefited by hair mattresses, and in a few of the worst cases of paralysis accompanied with bed sores, we have found India-rubber air mattresses of great service. There has been a full supply of really good and comfortable bed clothing, the quantity of which has been regulated by the temperature of the seasons. The substitution of a strong tweed dress for the blue jumper and moleskins would, I am convinced, prove advantageous in more respects than that of economy. It is a fact that the blue jumper as usually furnished tears very easily, and the same holds true of the moleskin trousers; destructive patients rend both into tatters very easily; not so as regards strong tweed lined with stout calico; hence the probability of a great saving of clothing, the destruction of which constitutes a serious loss, and adds considerably to the expenses of the institution. Another objection to the present dress is that it is similar to that worn by convicts. There are few patients so far lost as not to be able to appreciate the distinction between the ordinary dress of civilians and that which is furnished to them on their admission. A consciousness of degradation owing to the change may exercise a prejudicial influence on many patients, and may obviate or retard their progress towards recovery. It has been recommended by a leading authority on the management of the insane “to try destructive patients with a better style of clothing with a view of inducing them to take care of it.” I have seen a large number of inmates in the Central Criminal Asylum in Ireland, clad in good tweed dress, and I have not noticed any ragged or torn clothing amongst them. I have, some time ago, been favoured by the Messrs. Clark, of Auckland, with a pattern jacket of good strong tweed lined throughout with strong blay calico, which they could furnish for eleven shillings and sixpence; trousers would, of course, cost less. It has been proposed to have the clothing required for the male patients made at the Stockade, and thus by purchasing the material by the piece a saving might be effected.

FEMALE CLOTHING.

There can be no reasonable objection to the clothing at present worn by the female patients, which is made by themselves or those amongst them capable of executing the work.

AMUSEMENTS.

The modern treatment of insanity embraces every means calculated to diminish morbid irritability and to administer comfort to the diseased mind. Amusements of various kinds are therefore recognised as direct therapeutic agents. Music, dancing, scenic representations are not only tolerated but insisted on and fully carried out in the best European and Colonial Asylums. The entertainments given in this Asylum, under your Honor’s sanction, have been duly appreciated, and their good effects have been very obvious in a large number of patients of both sexes. Their decorous conduct on those occasions could not fail to strike the numerous visitors who kindly favoured us with their presence. Various other amusements might have been afforded the patients but for the very crowded state of the day rooms, in which there is no room for bagatelle boards or anything of that kind. In the male exercising yard a good ball or racket court could easily be obtained by placing wire netting over the back windows; it would be good exercise, and prove most acceptable to several patients.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

These have been regularly conducted. The Rev. Dr. Maunsell has most punctually attended one Sunday each month. Messrs. Shalders and Cheal have frequently conducted service. The Rev. Walter McDonald and several of the Roman Catholic clergy have duly and kindly administered to the wants of patients of their persuasion, and were always ready on the shortest notice to minister to the sick and the dying.

ATTENDANTS.

The male and female attendants have discharged their onerous duties in a very satisfactory manner, and except a few occasional altercations between the matron and female attendants, there has been no reasonable ground for complaint against any of them. They are now well acquainted with their duties, and it is but fair to state that they discharge them faithfully. The night nurses have contributed much to the safety and comfort of the feeble and helpless patients, and their appointment was a great boon to the Asylum. The statistics of the year, carefully prepared with the assistance of Mr. A. Tilly, are appended to this report.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,
Your most obedient servant,

THOMAS AICKIN, M.D.,
Resident Surgeon.

To His Honor the Superintendent.