State of Lunatic Asylums and the Insane of Ireland. Remarks on the Religious Persuasion, Degree of Education, and On the Policy of maintaining the Limits at present imposed by Law on the Criminal Responsibility of the Insane Claim of Priority in the Reformation of the Treatment of the No I. OF A NEW SERIES OF THE PSYCHOLOGICAL JOURNAL. TH EDITED BY FORBES WINSLOW, M.D.; D.C.L. Oxon. HE first number of the "Psychological Journal" appeared in January, 1848. It has now reached its 32nd number, and 8th volume. It is deemed advisable, for many reasons, to commence in January, 1856, a NEW SERIES OF THE JOURNAL, with the view of enabling the Editor to introduce into this Quarterly Publication some important alterations and improvements. The "Psychological Journal" for the future will be divided into distinct and special departments, embracing: 1. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS ON THE SUBJECT OF INSANITY AND MEDICAL PSYCHOLOGY. 2. PURE PSYCHOLOGY, LOGIC, AND MEDICAL METAPHYSICS. 3. COPIOUS ANALYTICAL NOTICES OF ALL BRITISH AND FOREIGN WORKS ON PSYCHOLOGY AND INSANITY. 4. CEREBRAL PHYSIOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY. 5. JUDICIAL PSYCHOLOGY. 6. FULL REPORTS OF ALL LUNACY TRIALS. 7. PSYCHOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE. No labour or expense will be spared by the Editor and his able contributors to make the New Series of the journal complete in all its sectional departments. With this object, a correspondence has been opened with the leading psychological physicians of FRANCE, GERMANY, and AMERICA; and offers of assistance have already been liberally made to the Editor by the leading men in each country, who have undertaken to supply him with all the recent works, pamphlets, public documents, and intelligence having reference to the subject of Psychology and the treatment of the insane. Without neglecting the investigation of questions connected with Medical-Psychology, Logic, and Metaphysics, it will be the principal object of the Editor to give the New Series of his Journal a decided practical character by the publication of a course of articles on the medical, moral, and judicial treatment of the insane, having particular reference to the organization and management of lunatic asylums, and the cure of insanity by therapeutic remedial agents. It will be the aim of the Editor to cultivate and invite a correspondence with all connected with the management of the insane, as well as with those in and out of the profes sion who have paid special attention to the study of Psychological Science and Mental Philosophy. Information of a practical bearing will be solicited from all quarters, with the object of making this Quarterly Journal the leading and recognised medium of psychological communication between thinking and experienced men of all nations. Literary assistance has been freely promised by several distinguished Jurists interested in the subject of insanity in its medico-legal aspects; and many of the clergy, officially connected as chaplains with our Public Asylums and Hospitals, will also contribute valuable matter to our pages. From these varied sources of information, the Editor hopes to make each literary department of the "Psychological Journal" complete in all its important and essential features. A very large capital has already been expended in the establishment of this Journal, THE FIRST OF THE KIND PUBLISHED IN THIS COUNTRY. Until the appearance of this periodical, there existed in Great Britain no Journal or publication devoted to the investigation of psychological subjects, and those engaged in the responsible and anxious duty of treating the insane possessed no special organ of communication. The "Psychological Journal" supplied this desideratum. The Editor trusts that these facts will not be overlooked or disregarded by the public and the profession, and that they will show, by liberally supporting the New Series, their kind appreciation of our labours to excite an interest in, and to extend a knowledge of, an important and hitherto neglected department of Medical Science and Philosophy. THE JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGICAL MEDICINE AND MENTAL PATHOLOGY. JANUARY 1, 1855. ART. I.-BRITISH ASYLUMS FOR THE INSANE. WE propose inaugurating our new volume by placing before our "The number of patients admitted during the year was 126, of Dr. Begley says- "The number of patients in the male division of the asylum at the making together 475; 17 have been discharged cured, 3 as improved, and 45 have died, leaving 410 now under care. "The patients admitted during the year were generally in so chronic a stage of their disorder, or the malady was so much complicated with general paralysis or epilepsy, diseases which usually render insanity incurable, that hope could not be entertained of the recovery of many of them. Some of those, however, who were received during the early stage of the disease, and who were not affected with either of the complications referred to, have left the asylum well; others of them are progressing favourably, and are likely to be discharged cured in the ensuing spring. "In 38 of the cases admitted the disease assumed the form of mania, and in 9 that of melancholia. Imbecility was the type of the disorder in 15 cases, and dementia was manifested in 2. Mania was associated in 6 cases with general paralysis, and in 6 others with epilepsy. There was a double combination of general paralysis and epilepsy in 1 case of mania. Melancholia was found in union with general paralysis in 1 case. Imbecility was combined with that affection in 8 cases, and with epilepsy in 1; in 1 other case of imbecility there was a combination of both paralysis and epilepsy. The 2 cases of dementia were complicated with general paralysis. "A tendency to suicide was united with 1 case of mania, and with melancholia in 7 cases; 1 of the suicidal cases of melancholia was affected with general paralysis." Dr. Begley refers to the cases of three patients who were discharged "cured," after being 11, 4, and 6 years inmates of the asylum. He justly observes, that "recoveries like these 3, after so long a residence in the Institution, are occasionally met with in every asylum, and tend to show that hope is not to be abandoned in any case, however unpromising or protracted." The deaths were, as usual, "caused by general paralysis, apoplexy, epilepsy, and general debility; some others resulted from dropsy, diseases of the heart and lungs, stomach and bladder." Mr. Denne, the medical superintendent of the female department, has made but a short report. He says "On the first of January, 1853, there were 552 female patients in the asylum. "The average number resident during the year has been 557. "Sixty-three patients have been admitted; about half of whom, from either age, infirmity, or advanced stage of disease, must be added to the list of incurables. "Twenty-three patients have died; of whom 2 were upwards of 90 years of age, 5 above 80, 2 above 70, 8 above 60, and 6 between 20 and 50, the average of the whole number being 614 years." The Chaplain's report is satisfactory. The majority of the patients manifest an eagerness to be present at divine service. At the last celebration of the holy communion in the asylum, 55 patients attended! The following case forcibly illustrates the importance of bringing the insane within the soothing influences of religion: "On entering the wards after the evening service, a patient came to meet me, and said, 'I thank you, sir, very much for your sermon to-day, it has taken a load, as it were, from my mind, for I feared I should not be able to resist the dreadful thoughts I have lately had; but now I believe, through God's help, that I shall be able to get rid of them.' On my remarking, 'But you were not at chapel, N.,' he replied, 'No, I was too ill to sit so long, but I stood outside the door and listened.' Surely in this we have an example of the Word being blessed, to strengthen the weak hands and confirm the feeble knees.' The Hanwell committee have thought proper to publish a report from the Matron of the asylum. Surely this is unnecessary? It places her in a false position, and is, we think, derogatory to the dignity, and detrimental to the usefulness of the medical staff. There is nothing in her report that entitles it to this honour. It is entirely devoid of interest: the facts she records are of no practical importance or value. In making these observations, we repudiate all intention of depreciating the talents, activity, industry, and humanity of Mrs. Macfie; but we would advise her for the future to leave to the medical officers the duty of doing the literary work of the asylum. She must have much to occupy her time in discharging faithfully the onerous duties that specially devolve upon. one holding her responsible post. In writing accounts of cases in the asylum for publication in the annual report she is evidently out of her element. The committee of Hanwell Asylum will do well to omit, for the future, this kind of addenda. The report contains several valuable tables well worthy of attention. The "Third Annual Report of the County Asylum at Colney Hatch" next merits attention. It appears that— "During the past year, 392 patients have been admitted, namely, 254 males and 138 females. The deaths during the spring were more than the average, on the male side; but during the year the number has not been more than might have been expected, considering the state in which many are sent to the asylum. "On the female side, the mortality has not been greater than in former years. "The total number of deaths is 208,-namely, 135 males and 73 females. "The discharges of patients recovered during the year have been100 males and 42 females-a number which, if not equal to our benevolent desires, is beyond what might have been expected, and exceeds that of last year by 10 cases." |