| Description Of Item | From the collection of Thomas Laycock. Article is titled ‘To the Editor of the Asylum Journal’ written by Thomas Prichard, M.D. from Abington Abbey, Northampton. Published in The Asylum Journal, Volume 1, Issue 12, April 1855, pages 189-190. Prichard writes in response to a paper published by Mr. Wilkes ‘upon the subject of the administration of food to fasting patients, which appeared in the last number of our journal, he alludes to a feeding apparatus which he has used with much advantage for some years past.’
Prichard shares his first-hand knowledge of the physical damage that could occur when force feeding patients via the mouth and stomach pump, such as breaking teeth and causing the patient distress and mistrust toward the staff. Prichard describes a ‘nasal apparatus’ invented by Dr Balmanno that fed patients more efficiently – noting that it was used by a Dr Hutcheson and ‘adopted in some of the English asylums.’ Though unsure if it was in use in general hospitals, he notes that ‘in certain cases of tetanus, and in stricture of the oesophagus it might be useful. Mr Marshall, the medical superintendent of female patients at Colney Hatch, has found it answer all the purposes it is intended for, and I believe it has been tried at the Northampton General Lunatic Hospital.’
Prichard also notes that in addition to food, ‘where there are physical causes to account for the anorexia, medicine may be administered by this instrument.’
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