13

H.—7.

The patients' dietary is varied. I tasted many of the meals and found them uniformly good. In the main dining-hall 1 saw 327 patients at dinner. Their conduct was most orderly. The table-cloths were in a very fair state of cleanliness, and the use of glass tumblers instead of mugs (instituted many years ago by Dr. Leviuge) is certainly more home-like. The breakage at the table is negligible, but is considerable during conveyance and washing-up. The general cleanliness of the bed-linen and patients' clothing is observable, but here and there one sees a Huffing of the surface, which must be due to the new washing-machines. In the interests of economy the cause requires to be remedied. I am pleased to hear and observe that the wards are practically tenantless during the exceptionally fine weather. 1 find everything in good order, and save for the structural defects, which are gradually being remedied, there was nothing calling for comment. The ventilation of the sanitary blocks is still inadequate, and, in some, observation is very difficult. These it will be best to remodel for another purpose, and place the closets more conveniently elsewhere. The urinals in the towers are not a success. The floor-lights which have been placed in the landings of the main stair in the women's side fulfil their object, but being almost smooth slabs of glass they are slippery to walk on and may lead to accidental falls. They should be replaced by glass in small compartments in an iron frame. There are many points of suspension with respect to gas-fittings, &c, which require attention. Wlien repairing the damaged store-room a strong-room should be built in the corner next the office for the reception-orders, registers, &c. This would be a convenient opportunity to add to the Matron's dining-room a similar room, and a bathroom as an instalment towards freeing the wards of rooms occupied by the staff. Some details of the Nurses' Home as part of the above scheme were discussed with Dr. Gow and the carpenter. The Clerk's house requires to be papered and painted :it is many years since anything was done to it. The case-books and other statutory books and registers are well and neatly kept, and were found up to date. Seacliff Mental Hospital. 10th April, 1908. I inspected this Mental Hospital on the 28th, 30th, and 31st March, and the Ist, 3rd, 6th, 7th, and 9th April, sleeping last night in the institution. On the 7th I visited in company with the Hon. the Minister. My previous visit was in June, and Miss Maclean visited on the 13th of last month. As on my last visit I did not write a report in the Inspector's Book, I shall mi this occasion review events since February, 1907, when I last reported. During the interval the District Deputy Inspector has made eight inspections, and the Official Visitors twenty-two. The returns in this report will refer to the condition and distribution of the patients on the 30th of last month. The following changes have taken place in the population since the Bth February of last year :— Males. Females. Total. Resident on Bth February, 1907... ... . 470 275 745 Absent on trial on Bth February, 1907 ... ... 9 3 12 On register on Bth February, 1907 ... ... 479 278 757 Admitted since Bth February, 1907 ... .86 GO 146 Total under care during thirteen months ... ... 565 338 903 Males. Females. Total. Discharged recovered ... ... 30 19 49 Discharged unrecovered ... ... 38 11 49 Died ... ... ... ... 42 17 59 Total discharged and died ... — — 110 47 157 On register on 30th March, 1908 ... ... 455 291 746 Absent on trial on 30th Maroh, 1908 ... ... 7 9 16 Resident on 30th March, 1908 ... ... .448 282 730 Accommodation for ... ... ■ 451 253 704 Excess of patients over accommodation ... 29 Vacancies for ... ... .. • 3 I should here mention that there are buildings in progress for thirty men and thirty women. In the above return the Waitati institution (Seacliff Auxiliary), where there are forty-two men, is included, and will be hereunder unless otherwise stated. Every part of the institution was visited, and all the patients were seen, and had opportunity to speak to me. No complaint was made as to treatment, though there were appeals for discharge on the part of patients obviously unfitted for liberty. For the reasons assigned the following require special attention: — Males. Females. Total. General paralytics ... ... ... 9 ... 9 Epileptics ... ... ... •• ... 34 22 56* Suicidal ... ... ... •• ••• 12 24 36 Dangerous (not included above) ... .. ... 8 2 10 Liable to be wet and dirty ... ... ... 30 50 80t Actually wet and dirty ... ... ... ... 13 11 24 ♦ Including 15 men at Waitati. t Inoluding 5 men at Waitati.