110

Auckland Provincial Government Gazette.

ACCOMMODATION FOR INMATES.

The division of the large room formerly used as a chapel into appropriate wards, has afforded ample accommodation to thirty-four female patients, their other wards are not over-crowded, but as a compensation for this increased sleeping room they have been deprived of their large day room, which has been partitioned off, whereby sleeping room for twenty-two males has been secured.

SINGLE WARDS REQUIRED.

The want of a sufficient number of single wards is occasionally very much felt, especially in the male department, as it is absolutely necessary to place certain patients apart from others especially during the night.

EXERCISING YARDS.

During the rainy season the clay surface of the females’ exercising ground renders it quite unfit for use. That appropriated to the men is covered with scoria ash; it would be most desirable that both yards were coated with asphalt.

WATER SUPPLY.

There has been an abundant supply of excellent water distributed through the building by means of a force pump; were it possible to heat the baths by steam in cold weather, it would prove conducive to the comfort and welfare of the patients. It is admitted that a properly regulated system of warm and cold bathing exercises a decidedly beneficial influence in many forms of mental disease.

BEDDING.

The patients’ beds have hitherto been, and are at present, of clean wheaten straw, enclosed in strong ticking; the straw can be changed as often as may be required, and thus cleanliness is insured. Hair mattresses would be preferable in certain cases, and in the paralytic I have found the india-rubber air beds to answer remarkably well.

BED-CLOTHING.

The bed-clothing has been good, consisting of sheeting, blankets and rugs. The amount of clothing allowed to each inmate is regulated by the temperature of the season.

MEN’S DRESS.

The men’s dress consists of shirts, flannel vest, in winter blue shirt and moleskin trousers. A change in the outer garments is still a desideratum, inasmuch as they are similar to those worn by the inmates of another institution, in which the curative treatment employed differs considerably from that which is adopted here.

FEMALE DRESS.

The female patients are as a rule comfortably and decently clad; as several work well at their needles, it affords them useful occupation to make their own dresses, unfortunately many are quite incapable of doing so.

EMPLOYMENT FOR PATIENTS.

Several of the male patients are employed in various useful occupations, a few render very efficient assistance to the attendants in washing out the wards, corridors, &c., and others assist the cook. A gang of men under charge of an attendant work the force pump (not a difficult task); others work in the garden. The matron has usually found sufficient employment for any other patients who were capable of undertaking anything useful.

AMUSEMENTS.

It has been a leading feature in the management of this institution to endeavour to break the morbid chain of thought by furnishing such amusements as it was possible to procure. The monthly entertainments have afforded much gratification to several patients, and on the whole seemed to exercise a beneficial influence. The female patients’ enjoyments are occasional picnics along the beach, and any little recreations provided by their relatives or friends have not been prohibited.

DIETARY.

It will be seen on reference to table No. 13, in the appendix, that the dietary scale has been liberal. I find by reports furnished by some leading asylums in the United Kingdom and elsewhere that it bears a favorable comparison with most.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES.

It has been the practice to have two religious services weekly—i.e., on Sundays and Thursdays. The Rev. Messrs. Dudley and Willis have kindly volunteered their services. Mr. Shalders has also regularly officiated as Christian Visitor. On these occasions Mr. Culpan presides at the harmonium, and some of the patients join heartily in the singing. On all occasions services of the clergy of all denominations have been freely rendered when required. The attention of the Rev. Walter McDonald to any patients requiring his spiritual instructions deserves to be specially noticed.

CONDUCT OF ATTENDANTS.

There have been no grounds of complaint against any attendant during the year. Both male and female attendants discharged their onerous duties heartily and efficiently. The equal distribution of labour to each has necessarily been attended with difficulty owing to the fluctuating character of most persons afflicted with mental disease.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient Servant,

THOS. AICKIN, M.D.,
Resident Surgeon.

To His Honor the Superintendent.