IL—7a,

1916. NEW ZEALAND.

MENTAL HOSPITALS OF THE DOMINION. MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS FOR 1915.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Inbpbotor-Obnbeal to the Hon. the Minister in Chab&i of the Department fob 'nno Care of Mental Defectives. Sir, — I have the honour to present the annual reports addressed to me by the Medical Superintendents of the four larger institutions. These reports, which are not statutory, were not included in my annual report because that report was presented at ,an unusually early date, and was printed when one report only had come to hand. I have, &0.. Hon. G. W. Russell. Frank Hay.

MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENTS' REPORTS. Auckland Mental Hospitals. Dr. R. M. Beattie reports : — On the 31st December, 1915, we had in this hospital 948 patients. During the year 131 male and 90 female patients were admitted. As usual, the majority of the males were single and of the females married. Most of the patients were between the ages of thirty and sixty years —the period of greatest vigour and strain. Of the admissions, 4 males and 8 females were voluntary patients. So far the voluntary system has not been a success in Auckland, the deprivation of liberty and the imagined reflection proving largely insuperable barriers. From the hospital—that is to say, the curative—point of view I am not satisfied that any benefit has resulted. The recovery-rate —47'96 per cent. —is above the average. The death-rate was 9'19 per cent. Senile decay and chronic brain-disease accounted for 44 of the 8G deaths. I regret that too many senile cases are still admitted to this Hospital, exhibiting in some cases a desire to shirk home responsibility. The general work of the Hospital and the farm has been carried on with a fair measure of success. Difficulties have naturally arisen, owing to war conditions, in finding suitable employees, and we have now more than ever to rely upon the older members of the staff, whose work is to be commended. I regret that more of the single men have not seen fit to volunteer for military service. Nine have done so :of these, one—J. H. Button—was killed in action, and two others were invalided home. The new drainage system is approaching completion. This will enable us to connect with the city and suburban system, and relieve us of a difficulty with which we have had to contend for many years. Both new auxiliaries are now in occupation. They are quite inadequate to meet our requirements. The new female refractory ward is much overcrowded, whilst on the male sidt accommodation is considerably cramped, and. the infirmary ward so much so that its successful administration is impossible. During the year we lost the services of Miss S. Campbell, our Matron. She retired worn out after years of strenuous labour performed without a grumble and with the single purpose of loyalty and fidelity. Our expenses have increased by over £3,000. Wages accounted for £728 of this amount, and rations, due to enhanced prices, for £2,650