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St. Dymphna's Memories
Reports from Commissioners: Seventeen Volumes _( 9_)_ Lunacy; (Ireland) Session Lunatic Asylums 7 February - 6 July 1865 Vol XXI. Carlow Lunatic Asylum Pages 34-35 Fourteenth Report on the District,
Criminal and Private Lunatic Asylums. in Ireland Carlow Asylum There is nothing new to report since the date
of our last report with regard to this asylum; for although many
improvements are needed, and in contemplation of the new asylum at
Enniscorthy shall have relieved it of the Wexford patients. Any work of importance would be attended with
great inconvenience, and interfere too much with the discipline of the
house in its present crowed state. The general condition of the
inmates during the year has been Satisfactory, and their comforts,
health, and amusements have, as far as is possible, been duly attended
to. “March 5, 1864. – Visited this asylum. The
number in the house this day amounts to 204 – 111 males and 93
females. Although the establishment is manifestly overcrowded, the
general health of the inmates is satisfactory, four males and three
females only been confined to bed; two of the former are labouring
under pulmonary consumption, the remaining five are simply in a
debilitated state. I am glad to find that the Resident Medical
Supervenient is taking steps to get the main sewer of the building
cleaned, as from its construction, there seems to be no discharge from
it, a circumstance which at any time might injuriously affect the
health of the patients. A very good proportion of the inmates, male
and females, appear to be industriously employed, both in and out of
doors-something more than half. The attendance of the Chaplains, I
perceive, is very regular, and productive of much benefit. The great
deficiency already adverted to by me with reference to seats and
chairs in the day-rooms and corridors I regret still exists” “May 8, 1864. – I this day inspected the
Carlow District Asylum which is very crowded. The patients all appear
to be very carefully attended to; six are confined to bed by illness.
The house I found clean, well ventilated, and orderly; many of the
inmates being industriously occupied both in and out of doors. The
bedding and bedsteads are very indifferent in some dormitories; but
until new asylum be finished in Enniscorthy. It would be premature to
effect any change or undertake any improvement which would tend to
inconvenience the establishment here. On inquiry I find that the extra
officers are very regular in their attendance.” “September 6, 1864. – I found the Carlow
District Asylum, on my visit to it on the present occasion, and in the
absence, on leave, of the Resident Physician, generally speaking, very
satisfactory. Its various departments were regular, and the patients,
all of whom I examined, appear to be carefully looked after; the great
majority, both male and female, being out of doors amusing themselves,
or walking about under supervision of their attendants. “Ten of the inmates were confined to bed by
illness; none under restraint of any kind. The house, as usual,
overcrowded; 54 patients chargeable to Carlow town and county, 60 to
Kildare and 90 to Wexford. As I observed in my last report. The
bedding is meagre and indifferent; although I do not think it
necessary that it should be renewed all through the establishment. in
some dormitories it is highly advisable. “The provisions
should be more strictly looked after. The meat contractor, if I am to
judge by the quality I saw this day, does not fulfil his engagement
correctly.
He sent some which I examined – most
offensive – dangerous for human use. Again, I find he gets 1s 10d. for
each ox head; a fair price, higher than is paid in Dublin. I weighed
the head and it was under eleven pounds, almost nothing but bone;
there certainly could not have been anything like two pounds of flesh
on it, and it was sent up in half mangled state, The Bread and oatmeal
were good, and the milk fair, and I understand, better than usual. The
extern officers attended regularly.”
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