In 1849 the following
report was given:
'On Monday last we visited
the Tarban Creek Asylum,
when by the kindness of Dr. Campbell we were allowed to
inspect the whole of the premises. Dr. Digby, the
superintendent, whose vigilance and efficiency is worthy of
all praise, conducted us through the establishment; and
politely explained to us the various modes of treatment
adopted towards the patients. The building was intended
originally for only sixty patients, but so lamentably has
insanity increased of late years in this colony, that is was
recently enlarged so as to accommodate about one hundred;
still it has been found too small, as there is at the
present time about one hundred and eighty six patients on
the books. Notwithstanding this large number, so judiciously
are the arrangements carried out, that there does not appear
to be that great practical inconvenience one might naturally
expect. The building is a very substantial one of wrought
stone, occupying a prominent and healthful position; and the
small rooms, or as they are termed cells, allotted for the
sleeping apartments of the patients, are neat and clean to a
nicety, while the lighting and ventilation of each is most
admirable, so much so in fact that there is no appearance of
cells. The patients themselves also presented a very clean
and healthy appearance. There are several large recreation
yards both for males and females, which are every way
calculated for the use for which they are designed; and from
having verandahs all round can be used either in fine or
rainy weather. A library has lately been established for the
use of the patients, and we saw several of them apparently
deeply engaged in the perusal of books and newspapers. Some
of the male patients are engaged in various occupations,
such as cutting wood, cooking, fetching water and the like;
but we believe none of them are found to be capable of
working at their trades. One thing we think is wanting to
make the establishment complete, namely a large garden, as
we are of opinion that with a little looking after many of
the more quiet patients might be found to cultivate it; and
thus while it would afford employment to these unfortunate
individuals, which would occupy their time and attention, it
might be made a source of profit by the production of
vegetables for the consumption of the house. We were
altogether well pleased with our visit, and from the
inspection which we made we are of opinion that this
establishment is conducted in a most gratifying manner, and
reflects the highest credit upon all concerned in its
management - People's Advocate
A visitor to the
Asylum in 1850 recorded the following:
We visited this
establishment a few days since, and were taken into every part of
the building by Dr. Campbell, and were shown the whole of the
unfortunate inmates without the slightest reserve. The lunatics'
perfectly clean and generally healthy appearance warrants our
stating that nothing is wanting as regards the strictest attention
of the parties in charge - the nurses and keepers appear to have
been most judiciously selected for their important trust. The floors
and walls were perfectly clean, the kitchens and cooking apparatus
would not disgrace a nobleman's establishment. The provisions, both
meat and vegetables, were of the best quality. the unfortunate
inmates were much more quiet and orderly than might have been
expected, seeing the day was wet and cold, and the inmates
(comprising males 68 and females 50, in the whole 118) in doors
around their large fires, well guarded. Having said thus much in
favour of this well conducted establishment, it is but honest of us
to state what appears to be prominent defects; - and to speak first
of the sleeping apartments, we were much surprised to observe two
large apartments appropriated for some of the male adults, the walls
of the place were composed of long slight slabs, not apparently tied
together with boards or battens, but such as might easily be removed
or pulled down by persons only half frantic. The next fault is that
of the windows of the sleeping rooms in the wards, where there would
be little difficulty in getting out at. the next fault we have to
point out is the state of the floors in the airing grounds; the day
we saw this was wet, and they were full of puddles. for this we
would point out a remedy, namely at the Pennant Hills quarry there
are tons upon tons of what is called screenings of the road metal,
which might be got for fetching, and not far distant from the
asylum, and we are sure nothing would make a better floor. In
conclusion we would beg to remark that we think the scientific world
would suffer a loss in not having the annual medical report of the
learned and talented superintendent published.
Letter to the
Editors of the S. M. Herald:
Gentlemen I
yesterday interred the bodies of James Hutchinson and Samuel Todd (
two lunatics) in the burial ground at Tarban Creek, and there are
circumstances connected with their death which imperatively demand
investigation.
The Surgery
dispenser of the Asylum stated in my presence previous to the
interments that Hutchinson, who was labouring under pulmonary
disease, had been found dead on Monday morning, lying on the stone
flags of the crib room, where he slept with several other patients,
by one of whom he had been much annoyed and pulled about during
Sunday night. the dispenser moreover stated that Todd, who was
suffering from aneurism, had been also found in a similar situation,
not then dead - though he died in the course of the day.
I say nothing of
the cause of these poor creatures being so situated. It is well
known that the present system of management is one of total non
restraint, which the Superintendent is bound to carry out, and it is
evident that on this very account patients labouring under such
diseases as those above named should be placed where they would not
be liable to such dreadful exposure as appears to have hastened the
death of these two unfortunates. I merely mention the fact, that not
having been restrained, they either voluntarily deserted, or were
dragged out of their beds by some violent patients and, being
enfeebled by disease, were incapable of raising themselves from the
cold stones, on which one of them absolutely perished.
With further
particulars of the statement made by the dispenser I will not
trouble you but I consider it to be an irresistible duty thus
publicly to show the necessity of seeking for Tarban Creek that
great advantage which every public asylum should possess viz., an
unpaid and independent board of visitors.
This would be a
satisfaction to the public, as well as to the superintendent
who, under their inspection, would be relived of no inconsiderable
portion of responsibility and annoyance.
All that I am
impelled to ask and claim, for the Asylum, by the dictates of person
knowledge and experience, is the immediate appointment of such a
board. I am, gentlemen , your obedient servant.
George E. Turner.
Ryde Parsonage. June 12. 1850
Dr.
Campbell's reply to the above letter:
The Reverend G. E. Turner,
with plenty of parade and egotism, in a letter, which appeared in the Sydney
Morning Herald of yesterday, has called the public attention to two cases of
natural death which occurred in this establishment; the one on Sunday night, and
the other on Monday night. James Hutchinson, whose death has been expected daily
for the last ten days, and was left by me breathing his last at half past ten
o'clock at night, was found lying on the floor at the side of his bed on Monday
morning, having fallen over when death had deprived the body of the power of
preserving its balance. During the latter part of his illness this patient had
lain on the side of his bed, inclining a little forward to facilitate his
expectorating clear of the bed clothes, and therefore he fell out by the natural
law of gravity.
A patient who had become
unusually excited had pulled the bedclothes off him; but happening to make my
visit at the very moment, I had him instantly conveyed to a different part of
the asylum. Such was the "pulling about" of this reverend advocate of chains,
belts etc.
Samuel Todd, who died on the
Monday night, but with whose death his choosing to lie on the floor part of the
night had as much to do as the reverend dictator himself, was moribund when he
was received into the asylum.
But your reverend
correspondent has given these cases in such a spirit, with such an object, from
such a motive, and with such colouring, that I feel obliged from respect to my
mere professional character to declare that beyond the simple facts I have
stated, the assertions of this clergyman are Jesuitical, malignant false, and
slanderous. I have the honour to be, gentlemen., your obedient servant.
F.
Campbell, M.D., M.A., Superintendent.
For more information see
Australian Pioneer Medical Index
