H.-7

15

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS.

AUCKLAND MENTAL HOSPITAL. Sir, 1 regret that the report for the year 1910, which 1 have now the honour to submit to you, indicates in some essential points an unfavourable condition of affairs. The number of admissions was 201 —males 133, and females 68. Although one must deplore this large number, it must be borne in mind that it does not imply an increased insane incidence, but a natural increase due to the increased population in the area from which our patients arc drawn. Four cases alone —alcohol, 22; senility, 26; ill health, 17; and heredity and congenital, 43 —accounted for more than 50 per cent, of the admissions. The total increase for the year was 44, leaving a population on 31st December of 790. I think it might reasonably be assumed that the average annual increase for the next ten or more years will be not less than 40. For this number, therefore, provision will require to be made, either in this or in some other Mental Hospital. Still, the great need here is for increased refractory accommodation on both sides, and hospital accommodation especially on the male side. On account of the overcrowding in these departments the administration during the year has been rendered specially difficult. The number of recoveries was 74 —males under 30 per cent., and females about 51 per cent. This number is the smallest in my experience, and is due largely to the character of the cases admitted. When a large percentage of congenial, paralytic, epileptic, and senile cases is admitted, both the recovery and the death rates must reflect the issue. The number of deaths was 77 —the largest number in my experience. Of these, 21 were due to senile decay, 10 to general paralysis, 8 directly to epilepsy, and 8 to tuberculosis; one death was due to typhoid fever, and 1 to cyanide poisoning. This patient was poisoned by a visitor, who at the same time committed suicide. The tubercular death rate is only about 10 per cent. of the deaths. In the Scottish asylums it is about four times as great as amongst the general population at the same age, whilst in some asylums in England tuberculosis accounts for over 25 per cent, of all the deaths. Our death-rate from this cause, therefore, need not be viewed with alarm; but I cannot get away from the fact that the cause is well known to us, that it is largely remediable, and (hat it ought to be remedied. The Wolfe Home was completed towards the end of the year, but, on account of the difficulty in getting nurses, it has not yet been brought into thorough working-order. It will prove a great acquisition. Apart from any other consideration, it is the first step in a proper system of classification, which common humanity alone demands. The installation of new boilers and laundry machinery is a big advance towards a necessary equipment. The work of the whole staff during the year has been difficult and trying, and what success has attended the year's administration has been largely due to the loyalty and devotion of the greater number of the staff, especially of the seniors, and more especially of the matrons and senior nurses, who during a long period when we were compulsorily short-handed, worked strenuously and without a murmur —allowing their " leave " to be postponed indefinitely —for the welfare of the Hospital. Dr. McKelvey resigned on his appointment to the Costley Home. During all the years that he was assistant medical officer he earned and retained the esteem and gratitude of the patients, the staff, and myself The work of the farm has been carried on vigorously and successfully. Our thanks are due to the Official Visitors, whose work is always encouraging and helpful; to the proprietors of the Herald, for daily papers ; to members of various brass bands and bowling clubs. These clubs have played several matches with our staff and patients on their own and on our greens, and I must say they have afforded a very great deal of interest and entertainment. I wish to draw special attention to the kindness of the Misses Fleming, of Onehunga, who provide us with a cab one day in each week for the use of the patients, and who regularly send them large quantities of luxuries. I have, (fee, The Inspector-General, Mental Hospitals, Wellington. R. M. Beattie.

SUNNYSIDE MENTAL HOSPITAL Sin, I have the honour to forward you a report on this institution, with the annual statistics, lor the year ending 31st December, 1910. There was an average of 6258 resident during the year, and the total number of patients under treatment was 796, of whom 169 were admissions. At the end of the year we had 679 patients, of whom 30 were absent on trial. Of the 169 admissions, 116 were admitted for the first time, 28 were readmissions, and 25 were transfers. There were 67 recoveries, which gives n recovery-rate of 46"5 per cent, on the admissions, exclusive of the transfers from Mount View, who were chronic cases with no expectation of recovery. During the year there were 41 deaths, giving a percentage of 6 - 5 on average number resident. Of these. 8 were of persons over seventy years of age and 7 were general paralytics.