Nottingham City Asylum, Mapperly Hill

On January 1st, 1905, there were in this asylum 770 patients, and on December 31st, 1905, there were 790, an increase during the year of 20, which is practically the average annual increase for the past decade. As to accommodation, the Medical Superintendent, Dr. Evan Powell, says that there was considerable overcrowding on the female side, a fact also commented upon by the Commissioners, but that some relief will be afforded by the opening of a new dormitory. During the year 163 were admitted, of whom 134 were first admissions. In 84 the attacks were first attacks within three months, and in 10 more within twelve months of admission; in 43 the attacks were “not first” attacks within twelve months of admission; in 17 the attacks were of more than twelve months' duration, and the remaining 9 were congenital cases. The admissions were classified as to the forms of mental disorder into: Mania of all kinds, 46; melancholia of all kinds, 46; dementia of all kinds, 27; general paralysis, 12; acquired epilepsy, 8; and cases of congenital defect, 9. As to the probable causes of the insanities in the admissions, alcoholic intemperance was assigned in 22, or 13.5 per cent.; venereal disease in 4; puberty, the menopause, and old age in 18; previous attacks in 36; privation in 7; various bodily diseases in 30; and “moral” causes in 35. Hereditary influences were ascertained in 23, or just over 14 per cent. During the year 66 were discharged as recovered, giving a recovery-rate on admissions of 42 per cent., being 2 per cent. above the average for this institution and 4.21 per cent. above the average for all asylums in England and Wales for 1905. There were also 7 discharged as relieved, 4 as not improved and there were 66 deaths. These last give a percentage death-rate on the average numbers resident of 8.42. The deaths were due in 36 cases to cerebro-spinal diseases, including 21 cases of general paralysis; 22 from chest diseases, including 11 cases of phthisis; 3 from abdominal diseases and the remainder from local or general diseases, including 2 from old age. The deaths due to tuberculous diseases were 12 in number, or just over 18 per cent. of the total deaths, as contrasted with the 16.3 per cent. of all county and borough asylums in 1905. No suicide or fatal accidents occurred during the year, and therefore no inquest was held. Also there was an entire freedom from any infectious disease during the year and no serious casualty occurred.