In their 52nd report (January, 1840) the visiting justices report the satisfactory results of the new system. In the 53rd (April, 1840) they report that " there has not been a single occurrence to weaken their confidence in the practicable nature of the system ; " and also " that no increased destruction of clothing or other property is occasioned by the personal freedom which the patients enjoy. Indeed, so far as clothing is concerned, the amount of destruction is somewhat lessened, because of the genera/ tranquillity of the patients from the adoption of the new system.
Dr. Conolly, in 1944, also says : "After five years' experience, I have no hesitation in recording my opinion, that with a well-constituted governing body, animated by philanthropy, directed by intelligence, and acting by means of proper officers, intrusted with a due degree of authority over attendants properly selected and capable of exercising an efficient superintendence over the patients, there is no asylum in the world in which all mechanical restraints may not be abolished, not only with safety, but with incalculable advantage." liere we may consider the subject of non-restraint concluded so far as Its practicability in concerned. It is nowhere insisted that restraint can never be necessary in ill-conducted asylums, and until houses for private patients are constructed for the purpose for which they are used, some restraint will probably bo used in many of them.
In the article LUNACY we have given notices of the various legislative acts for the management of Lunatic Asylums, and the appointment of commissioners, who are bound to examine frequently, and to report annually on the state of every public or registered asylum for the care of the insane. From their last report, the thirteenth, for the year ending December 31, 1853, it appears that there are 44 county and borough asylums now in England (2 of them, Cumberland and Glamor gan, not yet (1860) open). The only large town not possessing one is the city of London, notwithstanding the repeated remonstrances of the commissioners ; but one is about to be erected at last at Dartford. There are 38 metropolitan and 74 provincial licensed houses ; with 15 hospitals which receive lunatics, including the one at Earlswoqd for idiots only. The following is the summary as given in the Commis sioners' Report for the year ending December 31, 1858:— In the year there had been 8146 admissions ; and 4942 discharges, of which 3079 were recoveries, of which 1399 were males and 1680 females. Of the patients remaining, 2779 were deemed curable.
There had been 2306 deaths, of which 1274 were of males, and 1032 females : 7 females and 5 males had committed suicide.
The report of the commissioners on their visitations was on the whole favourable. The chief complaint was the want of space for exercising grounds ; the neglect of providing night assistants, which the commissioners strongly urge, as the best means of counteracting the habits of dirty patients and for the prevention of accidents ; and the insufficiency of the pay to secure able and trustworthy assistants. On the Whole, they find that the system of personal restraint has been nearly altogether abandoned, and that of solitary confinement greatly, but not as they think sufficiently lessened. Their efforts, however, have not been altogether effectual. Some remnants of the old system remain, in spite of their remonstrances, in the private asylums. They thus describe one :—" The premises present a cheerless aspect. Many of the rooms have no windows, and are entirely dark. Some are lined with sheet-iron. The windows are guarded with heavy iron bars, and those, with the iron gates and railings, give the place a most jail-like appearance. Some of the sitting-rooms are without furniture, except fixed forms, and boards against the walls for tables. In these the floors are flagged, and the windows placed high up near the ceiling. There are out-buildings, where the patients are placed without attend ants, and where no means for warming exist. The airing-court walls are high, and obstruct the view of the surrounding couutry." This is the state after some improvements had been made, and after repeated remonstrances.
Of the Asylum for Idiots at Earlswood, the reports published by the directors speak most favourably, though that of the Lunacy Com missioners is not altogether so commendatory. It recommends more attention to the improvement of the physical condition of the patients, with more of out-of-door exercise, thus developing their feeble intellect, with less pressure upon it by scholastic tuition ; adding, in a report of February 23,1859, that these recommendations have been adopted, and that its present management reflects credit upon the officials. At that date there were upon the premises 279 pupils, 187 of whom were males, and 92 females. The institution has been remarkably successful in developing the intellect, so as to make the patients at least useful and well ordered, in humble branches of industry, consequently more happy themselves, and a less burden to their friends and families.