175

The accompanying table shows the number of patients admitted during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1876:—

The number of out-door patients who received advice and medicine for terms varying from one week to three months during the year ending 31st March, 1875, was 930; and during the year ending 31st March, 1876, 1145.

I have, &c.,
ALEXANDER JOHNSTON, M.D.,
Provincial Surgeon.
To His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.

ANNUAL REPORT ON THE MOUNT VIEW ASYLUM.

SIR,—
Mount View Asylum, 9th May 1876.

I have the honor to forward the usual annual report of Mount View Asylum, which shows that the number of inmates is rapidly increasing, especially on the male side.

The number of patients on

1st April, 1876, was 75—42 Males, 33 Females.
Do. 1875, „ 52—25 „ 27 „
Do. 1874, „ 44—22 „ 22 „
Do. 1873, „ 27—13 „ 14 „

48 patients have been admitted during the year, 21 discharged, and 4 died. Of the four deaths, one, an idiot girl, was from the effects of accidentally taking three doses of syrup of chloral; another, an adult female, died from cancerous disease of the mesenteric glands; one male from general paresis; and the other male from serous apoplexy, following severe convulsive attacks.

The increased influx of patients has caused the accommodation to become already overstrained, and it is a serious consideration whether it is not necessary to enlarge the Asylum generally, which is now being partly carried out by the addition of single dormitories on the male side for violent and excited patients.

The probability is that the number will continue at an increasing ratio, in consequence of the recent additions to the population of the country. I believe there will be upwards of 100 patients to provide for by the end of another twelve months. So many of the present inmates being incurable from old age and other infirmities preventing them obtaining their own livelihood, independent of their mental condition, no doubt a Benevolent Asylum could relieve us of most of this class, and avoid others being sent.

If the intention of appointing a Resident Medical Officer be carried out, all alterations and additions could be made under his directions, with a fair chance of success, it being understood that he had already two or three years’ experience by residence in an Asylum.

I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without offering my tribute of praise to the memory of the late lamented Master, Mr. Seager, to whose management and kind consideration for the patients generally under his charge the success of the institution may be attributed, and I may add that Mrs. Seager, the present Matron, has very materially aided him.

Although the proportion of discharges as cures may not compare favorably with some kindred institutions, yet it should be remembered that the present Asylum as soon as opened commenced to receive a large proportion of incurables who were waiting for suitable accommodation, and the cases removed from Karori were almost entirely chronic incurables, which had been for years under charge.

The general health of the patients continues good, very much depending upon the comparatively cheerful life they lead, combined with suitable employment, the Master and Matron both having been fully alive to the importance attached to weekly amusements, which have been of a varied nature during the past year; the large recreation hall being admirably adapted for this purpose, having lately had a proscenium added to the stage, with scenery, kindly provided by the friends of the late Master, at his request. The billiard table also affords endless amusement to many of the males. The Sunday services continue to be well attended.

Perhaps the most important requirements are the laying on of gas and water, with sufficient pressure to command any part of the buildings in case of fire.

I have, &c.,
CHARLES FRANCE,
Medical Officer, Mount View Asylum.
His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington.