83 __ ]

1894.

VICTORIA.

HOSPITALS FOR THE INSANE.

REPORT

Oll TRE

INSPECTOR o·F LUNATIC ASYLUI\18

FOH THE YEAR E~DED 3h;T DECE:YIDER,

18 9 3.

------···-~ l~HRSENTED TO BOTH IIO"CSES OF l'ARLIAMENT PURSUANT TO ACT !i4 VICT. No. 1113, S1WTION 79.

ROBT. S. BRAIN, GOVERNMENT PRINTER, liiELBOURNEo No. IH.-(Is.J-5002.

- I~ .APPROXIMATE COST OF REPORT. £ s. d. Prepnrat!on-Xot given. l'rlntlng (840 coples) 13 0 0 REPORT.

I-J OSPITALS FOR THE INSANE, Inspector's Office, , 31st May, I894· Sm, I have the honour, in accordance with the requirements of the Lunacy Act, to report on the Lunatic Asylums of , as follows :- In Table I. will be found the number and distribution of the insane throughout the Asylums on 3 Ist December, I 893. During the year an increase of 84 has been recorded in the number of registered lunatics, the figures being 4,042 at the end of I 893, as compared with 3,958 at the close of the preceding year. The increase corresponds closely with the increase of the previous year, when the names of 8 7 patients were added to the registers. The daily average number of patients resident was 3,86o, as compared with 3, 72 6 in I 892, or an increase of 1 34·

TABU; I.-Showing the Distribution of the Insane on 31st December, 1893· i Males. Females, Total. ! In the Public Lunatic Asylums at­ Yarra Bend 4°3 367 no ICew 475 445 920 Kew Idiot Asylum 89 55 144 Ararat 399 280 679 Beech worth 390 265 6ss Sunbury ... 2.39 267 506 Ballarat 95 Sr I76 Out on probation from­ Yn.rra Bend I6 J9 35 Kew 34 6s 99 Kew Idiot Asylum I I z Ararat 3 9 12 neechworth 6 6 I2 Sunbmy ... 2 Ballarat

Boarded out frorn­ Yarra Bend 3 3 Kew 3 f 7 Kew Idiot Asylum Ararat 6 7 Beech worth 3 4 Sunbury ... 3 2 5 Ballarat

Total number of registered lunatics on the books of the Public Asylums 2,161 I,s77 In the lunacy ward at- Bendigo 2 Geelong ... I In licensed house I

Total number of registered lunatics in the colony I,88I

AZ 4

TABLE H.-Showing the Admissions, Re-admission~, Discharges, and Deaths during the Year ending 31st December, 1893, in the Public Lunatic Asylums.

-- JIIales. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. 1---

• In the Asylums, Ist January, 1893 ...... 2,136 1,8 I 8 3.954

Cases admitted :- J?irst admissions ...... 48I 369 850 Not first admissions ...... 62 H 106

Total cases admitted during the year ...... 5,43 4I3 956

Total cases under care during the year ...... z,679 z,z3 I ·h910

Cases discharged :- Recovered ...... 153 IOZ 255 Relieved ...... 25 40 6s Not improved ...... 163 118 281 Died ••...... 177 94 Z7I

Total cases discharged and died dming the year ...... SI8 354 87z

Remaining in the Asylums, 31st December, 1893 (including patients on leave and boarded out) ...... 2,161 I,877 ...... ' 4·038

Average number resident during the year ...... z,I I 2 1,748 3,86o Persons under care during the year ...... 2,518 2, I 10 4,6z8 Persons admitted ...... 382 Z9Z 674 Persons recovered ...... I 51 IOZ 253 Transferred from one asylum to another ...... 14I I I I 25Z Escaped ...... 22 7 Z9 Retaken ...... , ...... I8 6 Z4

~

TABLE III.-t::!howing the Previous Attacks among Persons Admitted during the Year I 893 to the Public Lunatic Asylums.

Persons.

Number of Previous Attacks. -~------ll1ales. FemoJes. Total.

Have had one attack ...... 46 33 79

Have had two attacks ...... 7 8 IS

Have had three attacks ... . ., ...... ,. . ... 4 7 11

Have had five attacks ...... I I z

Have had six attacks ...... I I 2

~--- TABLE IV.-Showing the Admissions, Discharges, and Deaths, with the Mean Annual Mortality and Proportion of Recoveries per Cent. of the Admissions, for ~ !882.

Discharged. Averag-e Number Percentage of Recoveries Remaining jist Decem Iter on Admissions. Died. in each Yeo.r. I Uod~lDnf Admitted.

I Year. I I m 00 I m.. "' ...... ~ ~ "ii ; 2l -;;" E '" lli " 3 'i! s 0 ~ 30 d"' § 0 " ~ ~ I s d ~ " I'< iii ~ I I'< I ~ s ~ " ~ iii I'< iii "' I I'< I ! "'"' I'< "' "' - "" 54"I91 c I 6·82 I 2,899 ·64 8·.

~ 8 ...... 158 8o 238 1,88-t- i I,632 3,516 I,767 I I,f94 I887 ... 372 290 662 138 I37 275 6 z ...... 127 2I7 1,966 1,666 3,632 1,81 I I 1,513 I888 ... 38I 267 648 171 136 307 f + 8 ... 90 1,980 1,647 3,627 1,882 I 1,543 fOI 26f 66s 169 !26 295 s6 71 127 ...... 153 8f 237 ... 161 103 264 2,o66 1,703 3.769 1·954 1,;88 1890 ... 438 3fl 7f9 168 126 29f 17 2f fl ..... g,868 1 1,630 ...... 201 92 293 2,090 1,778 ·993 1891 ... f27 318 745 170 137 307 25 16 fl 2,0f5 1,681 20 22 ... 283 2,136 I ,818 3.95f 1892 ... 399 3°7 706 1f2 14f 286 f2 181 II02 27! 2,16 [ 1,877 f,038 38f 296 68o I 153 102 255 2' 40 6~ ... 177 94 1- Totals and Averages . CO Ol

6... 6

TABLE V.-Slwwiug the History of the Annual Admissions since the opening of the first Asylum in I 84-8.

I Admissions. Number. Number per xoo of Admissions.

Mules. }'emales./ Total. &ales. Females. Total. Males. Females.] Total, Discharged:- R ecovered ...... f,Q39 3·392 • 7.431 29'48 35'QQ 31'77 R elieved ...... 517 548 I,Q6s 3'77 5·66 4'55 N.,. ot improved ...... 2,874 2,Q3Q: 4·9Q4 20'98 2Q'95 2Q'97 D ied ...... f,IQ9 I,8fJ 5·95 2 29'99 I9'Q2 25'45 On pr obation and boarded out 3 Ist De eember, 1893 ...... 71 II7 I88 '52 I '2 I ! ·So Rem a ining in the lunatic asylums : on 31st December, I893 ... l ...... 2,090 1,760 3,85o I5'261~ I6•t6 i ------Total ... ••. I J3,700 I 9,69Q i 23,390 I 3,700 9,69o I 23,390 I OQ'OO \I oo·oo II oO'QO - ·····------.. -~ TABLE VI.-Showing the Length of Residence in those Discharged Recovered, and in those who have Died, during the Year I893·

. RecoYet'ed • Died. Len11th ol I!esideuce. Males. Total. Males. li''emales. Total.

Under I month ...... IQ I7 J6 7 2.3 I month and under 3 months ...... 32 49 ZI 8 29 3 months , 6 ...... 37 54 19 7 z6 6 9 " ...... 22 42 I6 7 23 " " I2 ,," ...... 18 6 I8 9 " " 32 I:Z I year and under 2 years ...... 24 4I 25 8 33 2 years ...... 2.2 " 3 " 5 7 I 3 9 3 , 5 ...... 3 8 7 8 IS " " ... I 5 " " 7 ... 2 9 5 I4 7 IO " ...... 2 4 6 IQ IO " " I2 " ...... 2 I " " .. . 3 I2 I 5 " ...... 4 IQ If I5 " " 2Q " ... " ...... IO 5 IS 20 " 25 " ...... I I 9 3 IZ 25 " " 30 " ...... 2 " " " ... 7 9 30 " " 35 " ...... 2 2 4 35 " " 40 " ...... I ... l Total ...... I)3 255 I77 94 271

TABLE VII.-Showing in Quinquennial Periods the of those Admitted, Recovered, and Died during the Year 1893, and of those 1st December, I

The Deaths. Ages. Males. Total.

Under 5 yenrs ... I I 5 years .and nnder IQ years 4- 5 2 I 3 13 z6 IO 2 22 " IS 4 13 Z3 45 IS 2.0 ," I3 z6 5 IQ IS 2 4 6g 57 126 20 ", 6o 18 128 86 25 " I Of I 5 33 3 9 214 25 ,, 30 , 6s Il2 24 17 41 5 l I 192 I7Q 362 3Q , 35 , 74 55 I29 19 II 30 I7 3 20 23I I8f 415 35 fQ 44 35 79 I6 9 25 I3 6 19 I7I 175 346 40 ," " ,j-8 72 12 s 8 I6 IOI 161 2 45 " 24 5 17 35 45 , so 2S 19 47 9 IO 19 II 4 I 5 If34 IS3 367 , " IO 22 2 so 55 " 37 38 75 7 I7 I 3 9 2I5 214 4 9 55 , 6Q , 3+ 34 68 6 3 I8 2 20 221 I6z 383 6Q 9 " 65 " 46 25 7I 14 4 I8 26 13 39 155 12.3 278 6s 70 I8 I 2 30 4 4 I 5 12. Z7 75 69 IH 7Q " ," 18 " 75 I7 35 4 z 6 I 3 8 2I 33 41 74 75 8o , If z I6 I 3 4 I7 3Q 22 52 So " 8 6 12 I Z ss " 4 4 5 24 ss " 90 3 2 2 IO 4 14 90 " lOO " I Unkuowll " " IQ 7 17 208 178 386

I Total I I77 I 7

TABLE VIII.-Return of Patients on Probation Juring 1893.

-- Males. Females. Totnl. I Out on probation on 1st January, 1893 ...... 68 I06 ·I· 174 Allowed ont during the year ...... 158 341 Total ••• ...... zz6 515 Recovered :- I Of those allowed out during previous years ...... zz 49 Of those allowed out during the present year ...... 45 8z

Total ...... 67 64 1 3 I Died:- Of those allowed ont during previous years ...... I I z Of those allowed out uuri11g the present year ...... I I 3 I4 - I Total ...... lZ 4 I6 'Vritten off the books under seetion 87 of Act I 113 :- Of those allowed out dnring predons years ...... t6 3 I' 47 Of tJwse allowed out during the pt·cseut yenr ...... 7 10 17

Total ...... Z3 41 64 Returned to the Asylum at expirntion of probation:- Of those allowed out during previous years ...... !6 16 JZ Of those allowed out during the present year ...... 47 63 110

Total ...... 63 79 ltz 1ing under care out of tl1e Asylum on 3 I st December, I 89 3 ... I 6I 101 I6z

TADI.E IX.-Rcturn of Patients HoanleJ ont during I893·

:\!ales. Femn.1e£~~ 'rota!.

Boarded out I st .Tannury, I 893 ...... 6 14 20 Allowed out during the yem· ...... 7 8 15

Total ...... I3 zz 35 Returned to the Asylum :- Of those allowed out during preYions years ...... I 3 4 Of those allowe'l out during the present year ...... z 3 s

Total ...... 3 6 9 i ' Boarded out on 31st DecemhPr, 1893 ...... 10 t6 I 26

TABLE X.-Showing the Manner i11 which Patients were Admitted dur·ing tho Tear 1893.

Mnlc z6 Lunatics sent to the Asylums by their friends 49 3 6 { Female 3Z 8I 7 8 66 I Z I 8 hy the police J Mnle so " " I Female 34 73 2 31 received from Benevolent Asylums f Male 2 " 'l Female fMalc z " " ) Female , Mnle Gaols 20 I I 35 " " { Femult•'t• I 17 all other public JMale 98 I43 " " (ineluding transfcrs) l Female 8z I I 2

Total I8o 93Z Ecicn.ped patie11b1 retaken Z4 Total admissions 8

TABLE XI.-Showing the Nationalities and Religious Persuasions of those aumitted for the first time during tbe Year.

HeligtQUS Persuasions.

Protestant. Birthplaces. Moham­ Pagan. Hebrew. Total. Presby­ medan. terian. ---1---1---1------

Victoria ... 74 37 37 20 73 4 Other Colonies and British Possessions I4 . 5 5 3 9 2 39 England .•• 88 ! 4 I I 14 IO 2 13I Scotland ... 2 j 39 4 2 so Ireland I7 5 2 2 II5 France 2 3 Germany ... I 6 8 China 8 8 Other Countries Not known I~ I I~ ••• 6 I : I 5 ~ I ~~ ~:

Total ... ~~~~;~~--~-I- 1 ---:;- ---;-;-,--8- ---3----2-~~

T.A.BLE XII.-Showing the Average Number during the Year of Patients employed, of Patients attending Amusements, and of Patients attending Divine Service.

Particulars. 1\lales. I Females. Total.

In the Workshops (Male)- Blacksmiths ...... 7 ... 7 Carpenters ...... I4 ... I4 Mattress-makers ...... 9 53 62 Shoemakers ...... 27 ... 27 Tailors ...... 18 4 22 Painters ...... I6 ... 16 Basket-makers ...... 4 ... + Mat-makers ...... 13 ... 13 Engineers ...... 2 ... 2

In the Workshops (Female)- Sewing (making up and repairing clothing) ...... 295 295 Fancy work ...... 6s 6; Mattress making ...... •...... I5 15

Miscellaneous occupations- Working on the farm ...... 162 ... 162 in the garden ...... IOI .. . IOI " in the kitchen ...... 45 ... 45 " in the store ...... g ... 8 " in 'the laundry ...... 246 246 ", in the wards and airing courts ...... 434 383 8I7 ,, as servants at private quarters ...... 28 2I 49 , on roads and ornamental grounds ...... 62 ... 62. in the mess-rooms ...... IO 4 14 Other" work about the establishment ...... 106 79 185 Amusements- Balls and concerts ...... 574 455 1,029 Billiards and reading rooms ...... Cards, chess, dominoes, &c...... 928 195 1,123 Bowls, cricket, croquet, football, and tennis ...... } Walking and driving ...... 538 440 978

Attending divine service ...... 617 486 1,103 school ...... 30 107 " 77 8 A9~)"

9

TABLE XIII.-Showing the Total Receipts and of the Department of Hospitals for Insane

Receipts. Amount.

£ s. d. Collections by the Master-in-Lunacy for maintenance of patients at­ y arra Bend Asylum 2,788 19 6 Kew .Asylum · s,66o 10 10 Ararat Asylum 1,334 18 4 Beechworth Asylum I, 16 5 0 828 13 I Ballarat Asylum 100 13 II Amount of fines SI 2 6 , sales 1,oos 5 11 Miscellaneous collections 28 9 5

Total 13 7

Expenditure. Amount.

£ s. d. General expenses 2,572 7 Maintenance at- 22·754 4 4 28,609 15 6 Ararat Asylum 20,076 14· IO Beechworth Asylum I 8, 16 5 I I II Sunbury Asylum 13. 149 9 10 Ballarat Asylum 3,IJ2 13 8 Lunacy Ward, Bendigo 214 5 0 , ,, Castlemaine 12 12 0 , , Geelong 62 0 0 Expenses in connexion with committal and transport of lunatics I ,616 3 8 , , boarded-out patients 397 3 0 Total I 10,763 0 10

TABLE XIV.-Showing the Total Cost of Maintenance against each .Asylum, the Sums expended against each Vote, and the .Amount of General Expenses for the Year 1893. I I Daily 1 Average T 0 C 0 f ~'·e• to Clotltlng, Bedding, Allowance to Lunatic Asylums. t."' I os t Salaries. • ~ and .Material Numbe-r .Mamtenance. I Otnclal V laltors. for .:>Ianufa.cturo. Chaplains. 1 Resident. I £ ·-;-;_z-~.--£---;5.-:i' --£---;-;;: --£- s. do·\--£--;-;;: Yarra Bend 780 Z2,754 4 4 I2,402 10 1,254 I7 70 0 0 Kew 1,o96 28,609 IS 6 13.931 17 3 . 2,151 I8 2' 70 o o Ararat 691 20,076 I4 10 9,092 II 8 I I,334 I9 21 IJI IO 0 Beech worth 665 I8,165 11 1 I 8,694 I7 1 1 I,104 15 6 6o Io o Sun bury 514 13,149 9 10 *6,319 10 10 1,320 7 4 72 0 0 Ballarat 114 3,132 13 8 1,102 7 0 729 II 6 General expenses \ 2,572 7 t2,147 7 2 f 111 17 6 1 Total ... ~-3,-8-6-o- IO Ill 17 6 0 0

Stores, Purchase I ~fedicincs and Stimulants. Lunn.tic Asylums. Provisions and Fuel, l.~ig1lt, and Medical Comforts, Incidentals. Extrn Articles. of Stock, Books, Surgical Wine, Spirits, Amusements. Water. Beer, &e~ ------Instruments, &c~ _::_I £ s. £ $. d.\ £ s. d. £ s. d. £ .!. d. £ s. d.' £ s. d. Yarra Bend 6,699 3 4 19 9 5 I,I4I I o' I79 8 IO 326 IS 5 41 4 220 2 0 Kew 8,701 14 IO~I 895 18 6i 1,596 18 272 18 6 6p 17 4 42 I I 5 313 I 0 .Ararat 7,125 IS IO 5IO 0 gl I,43I ~I 104 8 137 I6 0 42 5 2 !66 7 3 Beechworth 6,094 IO 31 SO? 7 4 1 1,136 2 4 8o 6 3 334 IO 8 13 17 4 q8 I 5 2 Sunbury 0 p8 0 I 8 3,8 57 19 I IS 4 925 7 71 4 7 38 I9 9 9 I33 17 3 Ballarat 451 3 91 468 IO 6 197 19 II 97 17 2 9 I9 7 6 14 2 68 10 I General expenses: I IO I9 5 ~------___··~--!--·~·--~~ Total 7 2 3,22 I 8o6 3 5 I 1,480 I8 9:147 IS 2I,J4215 * Includes £191 1os. paid to Medical Practitioner, Sunbnry. t Includes £qo paid to Inspector of Lunatic Asylums in lieu of quarters, &c. 10

TABLE XV.-Showing the Average Weekly Cost of :Maintemmce of Patien(,s for the Year I 893.

Daily Collcctinn:il> for !lfalnl<>Hl.\IIC(' .Allowm~cc to J;tmnUc Af'ylums. Avc:ra~c 'fot.al Cost o( 1 Salaries. ~umiJcrs 1\laintcnn.nce. ~ales, Fei'f', ClmplaiHR. llc8idcnt. Fines, &c. ------1·------·1---·--·------£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Yarra Benil 780 22,754 4 2,940 19 8 0 6 0 0 Kew I,o96 28,609 15 ~ 6,o89 9 IO 0 0 0 Ararnt 69I 20,076 I4 10 I,553 I6 8 0 0 0 Beech worth 66 5 18,165 II I1 I,296 I 5 4 0 5 0 0 Suubnry SI4 13,Lj.9 9 10 973 3 0 4 0 0 Ballarat II4 3,132 13 8 I09 9 0 0 5 ----1-----·!------Total IO 5,888 I 0 Genernl expenses 2,572 7

Clot.lling, 8tor(•s, StimulantF. Provi~iOn$ antl Rell;till/.!, niHl Pm·eha)':,e of Fuel TAzht, n.nct Lunatic Ar

£ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. £ s. d. £ s. d. Yal'!'a Benil 0 3 3fr 0 0 0 0 2~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Kew ... o 3 o-1, 0 0 9 0 0 31 0 0 0 0 l 0 0 2~ Ararat 0 3 Il; 0 0 9 0 0 3~ 0 0 0 0 0~ 0 0 Beechworth 0 3 6t 0 0 7~ 0 0 3t 0 0 o o ot o o 2;} Sun bury 0 2 10~ 0 0 I Ii 0 0 3!i 0 0 o o ot 0 0 0~ Ballarut 0 2 3 0 3 7~ 0 2 4t 0 0 0 6 0 0 0~ Total

General t:Ap

Total 'Veel\ly Cost per Patient, 'Veekly Cost Deducting Collections I~tmatic Aflylums. For;,~gc. Incidentn..ls. of Ma!nlcmmce for Maintenance, per ratient. Snlell', FineE~, !fees, &c.

£ s. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ £ s. Yarra Benil 0 0 0 0 0 11 2~ 0 0 9 Kew 0 0 0 0 0 IO of 0 0 7 a 0 Il 2 Aramt 0 0 0 0 I 0 0 IO Beechworth 0 0 0 0 0 IO 6 0 0 9 J.l Sunburv 0 0 0 0 4 0 9 IO 0 0 9 Ballarat 0 0 0 0 4 0 I) 8t 0 15 ------Total 0 IQ 6~ 0 9 3 General expenses 0 0 3

TABLE XVI.-Showing the Admissions, He-admissions, Discharges, and Deaths during the Year ended 31st December, I893; in the Lunacy Wards at Bendigo, Castlemaine, and Geelong.

1\In.tes. Females.

In the wards 1st January, 1893 2 Cases admitted :- :Fin;t admissions 89

Total cases admitted during the year 6I 28

Total cases under care during the year ... 62 30 Cases dischnrged :­ Recovered 28 IO Uelieved Not improved 33 Total cases discharged during the year

Uemaiuing in the wanls 3 I st December, I 893 3 3 'l'1·nnsferred to the Lunatic Asylums so 84

11

TABLE XVII.-Showing the Number of Patients Visited and the Number of Miles Travelled by tl1e Inspector of Lunatic Asylums during the Year 1893.

Numher of Patients Number of ~Hies NU!nber of P~tients Number of l\Iilcs ou Day of Visit. 'fr:welled. I on D:.y of YMt. Travelled. Pl~ce a.nd Date of Visit. ------Placc_nnd Date of VIsit. i i Number.! Total. Number. Total. Number. I Total. Number. Total. ___ I ____ 'I- .-1-• ------Yarra Bend- Ararat- i z4th February 793 ... 7 1 rth ,January ... 691 " . 320 3rd March ... 797 7 15th Jnne ... 696 ... I 14 sth June ... 774 ... 7 29th Septem bcr 68o ... I 14 I 7th .June ... 775 ... 7 21st December 679 . .. 114 I 8th Augnst ... 785 ... 7 -- 2,746 662 6th September 774 ... 7 15th September 773 ... 7 20th October ...... Beechworth- no 7 24th March ... 672 ... 16th November j62 ... 345 7 2 3rd ,J nne ... 673 ... I 3th December 767 • ... 345 7 25th August ... 663 • ... 345 19th December ... 7 24th November 663 1 ... 345 ~I 8,537 --- 77 2,671 1-: 1,380 Kew- i 19th January ... I,IIJ I ... 9 9th February I, I I 8 ... 9 Sun bury- I 28th _February I, I 22 ... 9 3oth March ... 518 ... 49t I 4th April ... 1,097 ... 9 30th June .. . 51 I ... +9l 3rd May ... I, 1 I 4 ... 9 I z.:md September 512 ... 492 16th May ... . I, 12 3 ... 9 21st ~ovember 510 ... 49~ 9th June ... 9 1 rth December 5°9 ... I,IJ5 49• I 27th July ..."'I 1,067 ... 9 --- 2,56o 247 2nd August .... 1,067 ... 9 2 3rd August ... I,o66 ... 9 Ballamt- i 5th September I 1067 ... 9 I 3th Jnne ... 206 I sth September 1,072 ... 34 I ... 9 27th September IZI 206 13th October 1,o81 ...... 9 22nd December 176 ... 206 I 7th October 1,087 I ... 9 --- 6I8 14th November r ,o89 ... 9 --- 331 28th November I· r,o67 ... 9 17 .+8 5 -1144 Total ... , ... 34,330 ... 3,128

Changes in the Distribution of the /n,wne.-Changes in the distribution of the Insane took place in the manner and to the extent shown in the subjoined table:- In Y arra Bend, a decrease of I 7 Kew, a decrease of... 66 Cottages for Idiots, an increase of 1 8 Ararat, a decrease of 9 Beechworth, a decrease of 8 Sunbury, a decrease of 4 Ballarat, admitted . . . 176 It will be seen that the re-distribution of patients here recorded resulted in somewhat relieving the overcrowded condition of the Metropolitan Asylums; and this was rendered practicable by the conversion of the Heformatory at Ballarat into a for the Insane. Altogether I So patients have been transferred to this estab­ lishment, the first admissions taking place on the 3oth May, followed by others from time to time up to the number above stated. Admissions.-The number of persons admitted during the year was 674, the same number as were received into the Asylums in I 892. Of those·admitted 565 were stated to have not previously been under Asylum treatment; of the remaining 109 patients, 79 had been once before in an Asylum, I 5 twice, I I thrice, 2 five times, and 2 six times. The population of Victoria at the end of I 893 was estimated at I, 174,022. On this basis one out of every I,742 of the general population entered the Asylums, whilst last year the proportion was one to 1,732. 12

Discharges.-There were discharged as recovered during the year 2 55 patients, and 6 5 as relieved. In addition to these, the names of 2 7 I patients who died, and of 28 I not improved, were removed from the Asylum hooks, making a total of 8 7 2 names written off. Of the 2 8 I described as not improved, 2 52 had been transferred bet1veen the various Asylums, and 29 had at different times eftected their escape.

Recoveries.-The number of patients returned as recovered was I 53 men and 102 women, giving a rate of 39·84 per cent. for men, and 34·46 for women, or an average of 37" 5 per cent. for both sexes. The average of recoveries for both sexes for the last I I .rears was 44·9 I per cent., so that the present year compares unfavorahly in this respect with former years. It is, however, to be noticed that, during the yeae now under review, a relatively large number of patients left the Asylums as relieved, 6 5 names written off in I 893, coming under this category as compared with 42 such cases in I 892. This fact would in some degree serve to explain the unfavorable aspect of the present year's return.

MortaWy.-On the other hand the percentage of deaths in I 893 has been comparatively small, or at the rate of )"02 per cent. as against T 59 per cent in I 892, and )"I I per cent. for the past I I years. The actual number of patients who died during the year was 271, whilst 283 deaths were recorded in I 89~·

Casztalties.-The usual record of minor accidents is presented throughout the Asylums, but only one casualty calls here for particular notice. At Y arra Bend, on 26th October, a female patient escaped from the observation of her attendant, and, secreting herself in a bath-room, was there found, soon after being missed, hanging from an iron pipe, life extinct. The occurrence forn1ed the subject of a coronial1nquiry, the jury returning a verdict of" Committed suicide by hanging herself." No reflection was cast on the conduct of the warder in charge of the patient. The Medical Superintendent did not, however, entirely acquit the officer of blame ; but, recognising the existence of mitigating circumstances, he decided that the imposition of a small fine would meet the case.

Probnt'ion.-At the beginning of the year 174 patients were absent from the Asylums with relatives or friends, under section 87 of the Lunacy Act. In the course of the year 341 patients were taken out under the same conditions, making a total of 5 I 5 patients so removed. Of these, 13 I recovered, I 6 died, 64 having exceeded their leave, were \vritten off the books, and 142 returned to the Asylums, leaving 162 out on probation at the end of the year.

Boarding Out.-Power was given by legal enactment, in 1888, to hand over suitable patients to the care of strangers, who should receive payment on a fixed scale for the trouble and expense attached to the duty they undertook. The system has been pursued with most encouraging results in other countries, but, judging fi·om past experience, it would appear that in Victoria social or other conditions are incompatible with the clev<•lopment to any large extent of the scheme. As a fact, very few appli­ cations are re~;eived from persons desirous of boarding out Asylum inmates, and at the end of the year only 26 patients were absent fi·om the Asylums under the regulations.

Idiot Cottages.-This portion of the establishment at Kew is fully occupied, the inmates ranging in age from children to adults. The numbers now are 89 males and 55 females. Mental deficiency characterizes all these patients, the degree of intelligence varying fhnn almost total mental vacuity up to a condition bordering on sanity. A course of training, directed to ascertain and develop their faculties, is persevered with, and a fhir measure of success has rewarded these efforts to ameliorate their condition. Objectionable habits have been overcome, health improved, and some capacity for engaging in useful occupation has, in many instances, been acquired.

Stqff:-'Vith a view to meet the policy of retrenchment adopted hy the Government, a considerable reduction has been made in the strength of the 'Warders' staff. For some years past the proportion of warders to patients had been as I to 10, J ()4?()- _)

13

and in those Asylums where cottages had been introduced additional warders were allowed to cope with the increased difficulty of supervision involved in the change. With a substantial curtailment of leave, it was found practicable to gradually reduce the staff by 33 male and 2 I female warders. The staff now stands at a uniform strength of I warder to 10 patients, irrespective of the number of detached buildings at each Asylum, Sunbury forming an exception, however, inasmuch as here there is only I warder to every I 2 patients. So fin·, no serious inconvenience has been experienced in conducting the Asylums under these altered conditions. The services of a medical officer were dispensed with at Y:trra Bend, and the Dispenser at Kew was called upon to officiate at Y arra Bend also. A further economy has been effected in a reduction of the scale of pay for warders newly entering the service, and officers who had reached the regulation age of 6o were called upon to retire on superannuation allowances, and replaced by juniors at the lower rates of pay. The conduct of the staff has been generally satisfactory, though a grave scandal at Kew led to the trial before the Supreme Court of one male warder, who was sentenced to a term of imprisonment. A subsequent inquiry by the Public Service Board resulted in the dismissal of three others. In other instances, where negligence or other irregularities on the part of warders came under the observation of their superior officers, inquiries were held by the Superintendents, and such punishment inflicted as was thought to be called for.

Accommodation.~}"or many years the want of adequate accommodation has been a cause of uneasiness to the Asylum authorities. The acquirement of the Ballarat Reformatory has now overcome this difficulty; and, with the completion of the new buildings at Sunbury, will dispose of any danger of overcrowding for a number of years to come. The Ballarat establishment has already been the means of relievin,g­ the crowded condition of the Metropolitan Asylums to the extent of I 8o patients, and there is still room there for Ioo more. When these have been transferred, the Superintendent at Kew will at length be enabled to restore the day-rooms of that Asylum to their original purpose instead of being under the necessity of using them as dormitories. The additions at Sunbury are planned to accommodate more than 200 patients, they are nearly finished, and will probably be opened during the ensuing year. As the prospect of having an Asylum for paying patients provided is remote, the question arises whether the buildings last mentioned might not he made available for this purpose, for which, in many respects, they are well adapted. The criminal lunatics are still at Ararat under the same arrangements as have prevailed for the past seven years. Cost of Maintenance.-1'he sum of £uo,763 os. wd. was expended in the maintenance of Lunatic Asylums for the year 1893. This amount excludes expendi­ ture on new buildings, alterations, repairs, purchase of furniture, tools, &c., items which come under the control of the Public "\Vorks Department. Expenses of the Inspector's Office, of arrest and committal of lunatics, of boarded-out patients, and allowances to general hospitals for the temporary care of lunatics, make a total of £4,874 1os. 9d. By deducting this sum, as not directly connected with the main­ tenance charge, the total expenditure is reduced to £105,888 Ios. Id., and a weeklv rate of 1os. 6~d. is shown. " The Master-in-Lunacy collected from estates and relatives, £1 1,878 1 ss. gd., and · fines, sales of surplus stock, and refunds yielded £1 ,o84 qs. wd. These amounts being paid into the Treasury further reduced the maintenance rate to 9s. 3d. a week per patient; and yet a better result would have been obtained but for the expenses incurred in opening the Ballarat Asylum and furnishing new wards at Sunbury. A claim for £3,334 3s. sd., made by contractors and allowed, as reimbursement for losses due to the imposition of the stock tax after the acceptance of contracts, correspondingly increased the maintenance rate, which was, nevertheless, lower than usual. This result is, in great measure, due to the moderate rate at which contractors tendered, to savings in salaries, to the withdrawal of allowances to official visitors, to the restricted use of stimulants throughout the Asylums, and to economy in use of fuel and light. 14

General Rcmarks.-During the year a large number of patients have experi­ enced the benefit of change hy being transferred to different Asylums. The new institution, in p:wticular, at .Ballarat, was the field of a large movement of this kind. The Medical Officer in charge reports that many of the patients received, who reached the Asylum in a very weak state, soon improved in physical condition, and are now in robust health. None of the Asylums are yet in a position to deal satisfactorily with a serious outbreak of fire. Generally the available force of water is inadequate, and in some instances the piping is too small and, through long use, is becoming corroded. Some years ago }fr. Stein, by direction, reported on the measures he considered necessary to place the Asylums in greater safety as regards danger from fire. His suggestions would have entailed a considerable outlay to fully carry out, and they were allowed, for the most p~lrt, to remain in abeyance. Provision is, however, to he made on the Estimates for carrying out these very necessary works. At all the Asylums patients are allowed the opportunity of attending Divine Service, conducted by clergymen of various denominations. · The means of recreation for the inmates show little change ; dances, concerts, amateur theatricals, libraries fairly furnished with books and periodicals, games for the house, and out-door amusements, form a list which does not invite or even admit of great extension. The gcneml good health of the patients is the best testimony to the favorable nature of the sanitary conditions in which they live. The practice of i·estraint by mechanical appliances has been limited to such patients as could not otherwise be dealt with, having a due regard to the interests of the patients themselves, or others associated with them. The record of seclusion has been reduced to a minimum, in more than one Asylum not a single entry appearing in the seclusion book. The old wooden buildings at Sunbury still continue an eye-sore and a menace to the safety of the establishment. They have been condemned as unfit for their present purpose years ago, and it is to be hoped they will be demolished as soon as the new wards are opened. A new water reservoir to hold so,ooo gallons has been completed at Sunbury, and should insure an ample supply of water to the Asylum, though, to be serviceable for extinguishing fire, it would have to be supplemented by elevated tanks. Useful occupation continues to be found for such patients as can be induced to work, with good results in a sanitary as well as an economical point of view. The number of persons so engaged, as well as the nature of their labours, are very con­ siderable. (See Table XJ I.) Contractors have on the whole fulfilled their undertakings in a satisfactory manner, though there have not been wanting complaints of inferior articles supplied, as well as delays in forwarding their goods, causing loss and inconvenience to the Asylums. At Kew, a course of clinical instruction was given to a number of students from the Melbourne University. I visited the Asylums regularly, and in the course of my observations found good reason to he satisfied with the care and intelligence brought to bear on their responsible duties by the leading staff, as well as the majority of the subordinate officers. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, T. T. DICK, Inspector of Lunatic Asylums. The Honorable the Chief Secretary, &c., &c., &c.

By Authority: RonT. S. BR.AIN, Government Printer, Melbourne.