Please wait. Contacting image service... loading
Hide article pages Show article pages
  1. Page 241
    Page 241 thumbnail
  2. Page 242
    Page 242 thumbnail
  3. Page 243
    Page 243 thumbnail
  4. Page 244
    Page 244 thumbnail
  5. Page 245
    Page 245 thumbnail

Article text

On this Page 241
PARRAMATTA LUNATIC ASYLUM.
none Help
A FEW weeks since we paid a visit to this interesting institution, in
company with our talented friend, Mr. F. C. Terry, to whose pencil we are
indebted for the sketches which illustrate this article.
The building, which bears marks of age in its appearance, is delightfully
situated about a mile from the township, standing on an elevation; it
commands an extensive view, and is undoubtedly most healthfully placed.
Entering the somewhat dismal gateway, which forms the front, we were
introduced to Mr. Statham, the Superintendant, who, with the utmost
courtsey, at once conducted us to the interior. Passing through a second
gateway we entered a spacious courtyard, surrounded on all sides by high
walls. The sun was shining pleasantly upon it, and upon its occupants,
who consisted of from eighty to one hundred men, all attired in the costume
of the Asylum. In a moment we were surrounded-hands grasped our
own in the warmest friendship, and we were greeted as old acquaintance
by several of the inmates, who insisted upon it that we had met them of
old. Of course we acquiesced in all they urged, at the same time
narrowly watching them, for knowing they were madmen, a degree of
uneasiness naturally possessed us, although we could trace nothing uncom-
mon in their demeanour, except an uncertain gleam of the eye, and a wild
hurried tone of speech. Mr. Statham assured us there was no need of
apprehension, and we listened with some amusement to their remarks.
One active little man pushed his way to us, and claimed our attention.

"Do not listen to these madmen," he said, " I am the Pope of Rome ;
you see these marks prove the fact," tearing, open his shirt bosom as he
spoke. "I was made Pope of Rome a thousand million years ago,
by the Lord Jesus Christ! I made Napoleon King ! and yet I am kept
here locked up with these madmen. Yes, gentlemen, you will take me out
with you, as you must see that I have no business here !" This, and a
great deal more to the same purpose, the little man said, and for years had
told the same tale to visitors, never varying in his story. Passing through
the crowd of listeners and speakers, we entered a building where our guide
introduced us to one of the dormitories; a range of iron bedsteads occupied
each side of the room, which was well lighted, lofty, and clean.

We may here remark that throughout the establishment we noticed that
each department was kept scrupulously clean-the floors white, the walls
and ceilings all alike carefully attended to. A lantern hung from the roof
of the dormitory, in which a light burns throughout the night.

The lunatics are sent to bed at sundown and are locked in; a warder
sleeps in a room outside the door, and on the slightest disturbance enters,
either alone or with assistance, to quell the riot.

There are a number of these dormitories, each resembling the above.
Each room is placed in charge of a lunatic during the day, who cleans it,
and makes the beds ready for the night. This system is carried out in
each department; many of the patients are employed in cooking, washing,
wood-cutting, gardening, &c., and without doubt such occupation is very

wholesome for them.

Leaving the dormitory, we were next conducted to the hospital-a room
similar to the one we left, and were glad to find that only eleven patients
were sick, and these only trifling cases; in fact, sickness is rare amongst
them, owing no doubt to the excellent management. Leaving the hospital,
which is on an upper floor, we descended to the kitchen, where we found
huge boilers of soup, just ready for dinner. This we tasted, and pro
nounced most excellent. A pint of soup, half a pound of meat, besides
bread, vegetables, and tea, is daily served out to each patient. In fine
weather the meals are taken to them in the open air-a shed being erected
in the courtyard for that purpose. Each man's allowance is placed on a
tin plate, and in tin pannikins, to prevent disputes, and is carried round
by the attendants.

Remarking the great appearance of freedom which the patients seemed
to enjoy, we were told that, except in cases of outbreak, no confinement
was necessary. Periodical fits attack them, which are carefully watched
and guarded against; on these occasions the poor victim is closely confined.
We were shown one; he stood in a narrow cell, strongly grated, opening
on the courtyard ; his arms only were confined. As he saw us approach
ing, he howled at us, and threatened us in the most fearful language; at
other times he was quiet and orderly. Another was shown us in the
courtyard, whose hands and legs were constantly chained; he was a most
violent man-had murdered his wife some years before, and was hopelessly, dangerously mad. Many phases of madness presented themselves to us amongst the men. One melancholy object was a poor blind man, who

[TOM HUBLY. Help

[TOM HUBLY.

.«j" Help


stood with his back to the wall, gazing at the sun; he had been accustomed
to stand thus begging in the Sydney streets for many years, until loss of
reason was added to his other afflictions, and here in the Asylum day after
day he stands, never speaking, gazing upwards, from morning till night,
waiting the release which death alone can bring him.

A political madman was another who met us, but from principle we
hurried away from him. A little boy came running past us, crying most
piteously, then crouching down and moaning; he was an idiot, without
one spark of reason-a melancholy object indeed!

We now passed into the female department, which is divided from the
men's ward by high walls, and the dwelling-house of the superintendant.
The matron, Mrs Statham, most kindly conducted us through her depart
ment. The women were scattered about the courtyard, standing in the
shelter of the trees, which adorn it, or seated in the covered compartment,
where, as in the men's side, their meals are served in fine weather. All
were scrupulously clean, some talking and laughing; others gazing silently
at us. Occasionally we noticed a terrible expression lurking in their eyes,
but generally speaking but little sign was observable of their dread

malady.

In one room we were introduced to the cooks and laundresses-all

busily engaged under the superintendance of wardswomen. In another
room, we met the most painful scenes of all-the paralytic idiots. Under
the constant care of wardswomen, we found several children; one a girl
about ten years, of age, stout, well formed, but helpless as an infant,
incapable of speech, yet readily understanding the kind address of the
matron, for a brilliant smile shone on her face, lighting it up for a moment
as she was addressed. Another was seemingly a child, but we understood
was thirty years of age; she sat incessantly moaning and rocking on her
chair, fingers playing with her lips, taking no heed of anything around
her, her limbs paralysed; she is lifted from her bed and dressed each day;
fed like an infant; with no look or expression betokening life-nothing
but the incessant playing with her lips, and her melancholy moaning.
Another, was a lad of about nine years of age: his eyes were
brilliant, and seemed full of intelligence, but alas! their light
was deceptive. He was partially paralysed, and had no power
of speech. He too moaned incessantly, with a wearied rocking of
the head and body, and a restless glance of his eyes from
object to object. We understood that all these cases were utterly hope
less. On the threshold of life these miserable creatures had before them
a long life of dreary blank vacuity; no hope for them-no gleam of
reason ever to shine upon their journey! We could not help thinking
how merciful the visitation of death must be in such melancholy cases.

On leaving this room we saw a little dapper man approaching, dressed
in neat frock coat and trowsers, and somewhat shabby white hat. A
visitor we enquired? "No," replied Mrs. Statham, "that is one of our
characters--it is a woman who fancies herself a man, and whom we humor
by allowing her to dress according to her ideas." This strange
character took off her hat, and introduced herself as Tom Hurly,

offering us a pinch of snuff, and shaking us heartily by
the hand. There was a world of humor in the merry twinkle of the lady's
eye, and the rich brogue in which she spoke. At our suggestion she
proudly sat to Mr. Terry for her portrait, which we here present, vouching
for its accuracy. In reply to our queries, she stated that she had three wives,
and she named them all. She said she had been in the country over a
hundred years, having been sent from Limerick in "woman's wearables"
as she did not then know her own "karacter." " Tom" was very amusing,

and chatted freely while her portrait was doing, and we left her, proud and
important that she had been so noticed.

Poor woman ! her's is an extraordinary case ; - we have never heard of
any other instance of such an extraordinary delusion. She is in general quiet,
but occasionally breaks out, and has to be confined. If her fancy of dressing
as a man were denied her, without doubt she would be in a constant state of
excitement and violence. There are nearly 200 female patients, and about
the same number of men. Of all these we understood that not more than five
were considered to have any chance of ultimate recovery. Cases of cure have
frequently occurred, and Mrs. Statham mentioned that it was gratifying to
herself and husband to find that their treatment lived in the memory of the
discharged patients, who frequently visit their old abode, bringing trifling
presents of flowers, as a mark of gratitude. It is a fearful responsibility to
have the charge of so many unreasoning beings, and nothing but the best
system of discipline would succeed. That such asylums do exist is a subject
of gratification to all, and that it is in such excellent hands is still further
gratifying. Helpless idiocy-or violent mania -are equally provided for ;
the strongest restraint is carefully applied, and the moment that it is deemed
unneccessary, is withdrawn. As great a degree of liberty as is compatible
with safety is accorded to all, and the result is, a healthy tone pervades the
whole establishment. Thanking our courteous guides for their attentions, we
quitted the Asylum, pleased yet saddened by our visit.

$