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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference -

C.O.885

3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Despatch, May 21, 1863.

Despatch, Sept. 25, 1863.

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house. There is a strange provision in the regulations, that the few persons (Justices and Clergymen) who have access to the asylum shall not communi- cate with any inmate without express leave of the medical officer.

As to the Roseau infirmary there is really no information of value, but the little which is given shows a very bad state of things, with no supervision. Nothing is said of the sewerage or drainage, or of the nature of the latrine which is said to exist. The lower wards give only 800 cubic feet per head, apparently without ventilation. There is no resident doctor, no visitation, no reports. A visiting committee was appointed two or three years ago, but has never visited.

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74. Mauritius. The sites and buildings of the hospital and asylum in Mauritius are small and ill-situated, and there seems to be but one opinion as to the necessity for erecting new structures in more convenient localities. The desirability of such a measure was pressed by the late Sir William Stevenson upon the Council, and recognized by both the Medical Charity Commission of 1859, and by a Committee appointed in 1860 to consider the Governor's minute; and though its execution has been delayed by the precedence given to railways, Major-General Johnstone (Acting Governor) is of opinion that there is now both necessity and opportunity for immediate action. Money is more than usually plentiful, and the activity of trade renders the present sites and buildings so valuable for commercial purposes, that they would now bring as much as 45,000i. towards the 80,0007. which would be required for the new establishments.

In the internal management of the hospital, no defects appear except that there is no resident or restricted medical officer, nor any regular system of visitation by superior and independent authorities. The asylum also seems to be internally deficient in nothing but means for occupation and amusement-a want which is in part the result of the smallness of the present site, and ought in another situation to be remedied by means of a sufficient endowment of land. The Acting Governor adds a strong appeal for the establishment of new district hospitals for Indian immigrants, who have increased in numbers from 79,736 in December 1851, to 243,770 in June 1863. Sites have already been selected, and plans and estimates prepared at the instance of Sir W. Stevenson.

75. Canada. There are in Canada 7 lunatic asylums more or less under the control of Government, 5 in the Upper and 2 in the Lower Province, which give relief to a yearly aggregate of 1,375 patients, at a cost of about 150 dollars per head per annum. They are, with one exception, almost entirely supported by public money. That of Toronto appears to be, of all the seven, the most effective, a result which is partly owing to the consignment of its incurable patients to Malden University and Orillia, the two latter of which institutions are affiliated to it, and are under the control of its head officer. Rockwood, which is as yet incomplete, is devoted to criminal lunatics. The St. John asylum is small and bad, but will, probably, shortly be replaced by a larger building. It had been some time since proposed to remove this establishment to a large unoccupied barrack, and the staff of officers had been proportionably increased; but at the last moment the transfer was prevented by the resumption of the building for military purposes. The asylum at Beauport is the oldest and the largest. Being a private institution, and receiving no public money, except fixed payments for the care of some lunatics sent to it by the Government, it is uncontrolled by superior authorities, except in the matter of inspection, which, in this instance, is carried out by a special commission.

There are a number of private hospitals which receive no aid from Government, and are not subject to inspection, but are known to be in a satis- factory state. There are also eight private hospitals in Upper, and the like number in Lower Canada, which are subsidised by the Government to the amount (in the last year) of 36,000 dollars for the Upper, and 17,400 for the Lower Province. These also are free from supervision, but are believed to be well managed. Lastly, under the control of the Government, are a Marine and Emigrant hospital at Quebec, and a Quarantine hospital at Grosse Isle. At the first of these 1,242 in-patients and 1,032 out-patients, chiefly of the class of sailors and recent immigrants, were treated, in 1862, at an expense of from 16,000 to 20,000 dollars, besides payments from the wealthier sick. The

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Quarantine hospital, at a cost of about 6,000 dollars, admitted, in the last year, 367 cases. It is well situated, in extensive grounds.

All these public hospitals and asylums are more or less under the control of a general board of "Inspectors of Asylums, Prisons, &c.," five in number, who inspect and report spécially, as may to them appear necessary, and also, at the end of each year, make a general report, which, with particular reports from the head officers of the several institutions, is presented to the Governor-General, and published. These reports are clear, comprehensive, and practical.

From the most recent reports, and the answers to the circular interroga- torics, it appears that the two hospitals, and the Toronto, Beauport, and Rockwood asylums, are in a generally satisfactory state; but that the asylums of Malden, Orillia, University, and St. John, and especially the three last, are defective in many points of structure and accommodation. ́ In all, the internal economy and the treatment of the patients are said to be all that can be desired.

It remains to point out particular defects in their material resources. In no one of these institutions is sufficient space, according to modern standards, allowed to each patient.

The Marine hospital requires artificial ventilation, and a better supply of water by means of a force-pump from the river, or by the addition of a large tank.

The Quarantine hospital is built of wood, and is much out of repair. It is used only in the summer months, when the navigation is open.

Dr. Taché, in his able report, The Toronto asylum is ill-ventilated. that it ought to accommodate more than the present number of patients. The great requirement is more land for purposes of recreation and employ-

says

ment.

The defects of the Orillia Branch asylum for incurables are, the smallness of the space-only 500 cubic feet-for each patient, in the associated dormi- The fences tories, and the want of land, of which there are only 81 acres.

are also insecure, a defect which necessitates either excessive confinement and restraint, or a large staff of attendants.

There is no particular information as to the University Branch, but it is said to be inferior, and to require more land and a better water-supply.

At Malden an average of only 550 cubic feet of space is allowed to cach

There is a sufficiency of land. patient in the associated rooms.

The Proprietary asylum at Beauport is overcrowded. A recent structure, called "Richardson's building," is reported to be defective.

The Rockwood Criminal lunatic establishment is about to be transferred

to a new building which is in course of erection by convicts.

The present

It is to be desired that immediate steps should be taken to transfer the inmates of the St. John's asylum to some better structure. building is wholly unfit for its purpose. The account given of this institution is that it is still continued in the old building, formerly used as a court-house, which is only 60 feet by 40 outside, one story being 10 feet hight, and the other, gained from the roof, only 9 feet. The dormitories, with an office of most contracted dimensions, a store-room, and a lavatory, occupy the whole building. There is no day-room nor dining-hall, but the former passage of the court-house is made to do duty for both. Into this space 28 males and 29 females, It is impossible to 57 in all, with the necessary attendants, are packed. convey by words an adequate idea of the miserable condition of this "Asylum.”* Its condition is so bad that the interrogatories are said to be "inapplicable.”

All these asylums, except Beauport and Malden, urgently require more land for the sake both of economy and efficiency.

The Inspectors-General report (1st April, 1863) that lunacy or the number of candidates for admission into asylums is greatly on the increase in Canada. They recommend that no expensive improvements or enlargement should be made at the Malden asylum, which is a barrack, and may at any time be required for military purposes, or at Orillia, where a sufficiency of land cannot possibly be obtained, except at too high a rent, or at University, With reference to the Upper Province which is held on a precarious tenure.

• Canada. Despatch 9,676 of 1863. Inclosure (), p. 14.

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