The fourth annual report of the committee for Clapton and Darenth Asylums for imbecile children, to 31st December, 1878.

  • Metropolitan District Asylum at Clapton
Date:
1879
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The fourth annual report of the committee for Clapton and Darenth Asylums for imbecile children, to 31st December, 1878. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    We did not see any of the meals served, but we saw some of the provisions in the stores and thought them of good quality. The excellent dietary adopted at Clapton is continued, and this is no doubt a prime necessity. The weekly rate of maintenance has not yet been calculated at Darenth, but will probably be found to be high at present. We doubt not that it will be reduced when the establishment is up to its comple¬ ment in the number of patients, and is fully organised. In the domestic and financial arrangements the Committee have evidently an earnest and zealous officer in their present steward. Since the Clapton Asylum was visited by our colleagues on the 19th of December, 1877, 53 male and 50 female cases have been admitted ; 45 boys and 11 girls have been dis¬ charged. Of the boys discharged 30 were sent to Leavesden and Caterham, they having attained 16 years of age and shewn themselves incapable of further improvement. Two children of each sex were discharged as recovered; 5 boys and 3 girls were removed at the request of the Guardians of their Unions or Parishes; 3 females were transferred to County Asylums, and 8 males and 3 females were discharged for other reasons. The deaths have amounted to 17 among the boys and 9 among the girls. The causes of death were all of an ordinary kind requiring no special comment, and the mortality calcu¬ lated on the average daily number resident has been at the rate of about 7 per cent, per annum. 4 cases of scarlet fever occurred at Clapton during the year under consideration, the disorder having been introduced into the Asylum by friends visiting the patients. These 4 patients were at once sent off to the Homerton Fever Hospital, and are included in those discharged “for other reasons.’'
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