| Description Of Item | Three patient case histories of inmates from an unidentified asylum. Manuscript notes, by unknown writers.
First case relates to Henry MacLean, age 50, admitted 7 April 1864. Details how he was previously admitted in 1862, due to ‘insanity’ from ‘chronic intoxication’, and having recovered, was discharged 1 April 1863. Readmitted a fortnight after he ‘returned to his former intemperate habits’. The notes describe how he suffered from delusions and was violent and destructive.
Second case relates to Mary MacHarg, age 52, admitted 29 October 1862. She previously had been admitted into Langdale Asylum and was discharged on probation. Details how she was a heavy drinker and had ‘threatened to commit suicide’. The ‘present condition’ part only describes her affirming that she was deprived of her money and property by her neighbours, who were still conspiring against her.
Third case relates to Jacob Stimer, age between 50 to 60, admitted 26 December 1861. Details how he was found wandering on the high road, intoxicated and maniacal, having probably been drinking a lot and eating very little. Present condition is described as improving, his health better, but he was still ‘in a state of chronic excitement, incoherent, vociferous, pugilistic, and aggressive’ and suffering from delusions.
Case of dipsomania, relates to B. S., age 36, admitted 6 May 1864. She was ‘addicted to frequent excessive indulgence in intoxicating liquors for a considerable period’ and had ‘lost control of herself’, doing anything to earn money to continue drinking. Details how on admission she was agitated and crying due to ‘her admission into an asylum’ and her affected ‘mental powers’. Present state was described as delusional, but she since was forced to be abstinent, her ‘cerebral functions’ were steadily improving. Recommended stability because even ‘very little excitement’ caused ‘considerable agitation’, since ‘she is of the neuro-sanguine temperament’.
From the collection of Thomas Laycock. |