Life in the County Lunatic Asylum: Part 2

Northumberland Archives hold a number of male and female patient case books and chronic case books for St. George’s hospital [1890-1949]. These volumes reveal why people were admitted and chart their behaviour and progress. Some patients were successfully released but sadly, many died in the asylum. 

Many cases in the volumes involve an obsession with being watched or followed. One gentleman claimed the police were hovering in the air above him while one lady said serpents were watching her and wanted to kill her. Religious delusions also feature heavily with one lady believing herself to be the mother of God; her duty was to perform profound blessings on all that came near her. Another patient suffering from sunstroke, believed himself to be the second Christ claiming he once died but now lives again. His notes state that he believes that the wind cries for justice and cats bow before him. He talks wildly on religion and claims God has spoken to him in the form of a fiery bush. 

Reasons for entering the asylum were split between moral & physical. The table below lists just some of them. 

MORAL	PHYSICAL
Domestic Trouble (loss of relative/friend)	Intemperance in Drink
Adverse Circumstances (business anxieties)	Venereal Disease
Mental Anxiety and Worry	Self Abuse (sexual)
Religious Excitement	Sunstroke
Love Affairs (including seductions)	Pregnancy
Fright and Nervous Shock	Change of Life
	Congenital Defect
	Old Age
	Epilepsy
	Uterine and Ovarian Disorders
	Fevers
	Hereditary Influences
	Lactation

Below are extracts from the case books showing some of the types of cases that were admitted. 

Male [aged 50]   Admitted December 1891  Diagnosis – Paralysis.   This gentleman states his wife is constantly concealing men around the house and he needs to find them. He would like to put a knife in her as she is an adulteress and a fallen angel & he hopes for repentance. He is convinced that one of the men that his wife had in the house liked to dress up as a woman.   This man was discharged in January 1892.

Female [aged 23]  Admitted – May 1916  Diagnosis – Congenital Idiot  This patient presents the appearance of a congenital idiot. She is stunted in her growth, is practically dumb, mouth always open and laughs for no reason. She is docile & good tempered with no unpleasant habits. She is unable to speak & exhibits no intelligence.   This lady died in the asylum in February 1918.

Female [aged 33]  Admitted – July 1920  Diagnosis – General Paralysis  This lady claims she has been burnt, which is untrue. She is convinced that her husband’s friend gave her a drink which burnt her inside & out. She asks for water but won’t drink it. She is wildly maniacal & says whenever she is touched, she is burnt. She talks to imaginary people & shouts out “don’t burn me”.  She also believes that her body is going to be burnt in boiling fat. This young woman was committed for 8 years and died in the asylum in February 1928.

Male [aged 26]  Admitted – July 1892  Diagnosis – Unknown  This gentleman is restless and asks for the whispering to be taken away from his face. He believes that Jack the Ripper wants to kill him and is always whispering to him as he is living inside of him. Jack’s whispering charm has taken this gentleman’s speech away so his tongue is not his own. This patients actions are strange and he likes to walk upon his hands rather than use his feet. This gentleman was transferred to West Riding Asylum in July 1895.

Male [aged 45]  Admitted – January 1893  Diagnosis – Unknown  This gentleman claims his wife is trying to kill him and that she feeds him on her own flesh. He believes he has been crucified and that there is a mouse living inside of him. Part of his body is dead and it has been for years. His wife states he has attempted to kill her several times proclaiming “one of them must die and if she were dead, then he would probably get better”. The patient believes his wife has queer people around her and that it is a foul shame.  This gentleman was discharged and classed as recovered in January 1894

While resident in the asylum, many patients engaged in work. This was therapeutic but also beneficial to staff as patients could assist with day to day tasks. There were also options for the men to learn a trade and help with the making of furniture, clothing or shoes. Making items within the asylum was seen as a good way to help to reduce costs.

Buildings were split into a male and female side. The male side of the ground floor housed a flour store, bakehouse, bread room, shoemakers, tailors, plumbers & smiths. The female side contained a wash house, laundry, drying closet and female work room. 

Male patients worked in the gardens and also worked closely with the plumber, engineer, painter, joiner & tailor. They also worked in the kitchen where they assisted the baker and carried the coals. Some men were involved with domestic duties and would help with the cleaning of the wards. The women also cleaned the wards and assisted in the kitchen and laundry. They also mended stockings and were involved with binding boots and shoes. Other tasks included knitting & netting, sewing, quilting and working in the garden.  

In an asylum report in 1861, the work done by male patients and hospital attendants was noted and their achievements highlighted. This included the making of 12 tables, 1 bookcase, 36 stretcher frames, 5 invalid chairs, 2 medicine cupboards and 1 rake for the kitchen.