Pauper Lunatics

If you do nothing else today…………spare a thought for Harry…..
He entered the asylum aged 5 years and stayed until his death aged 10 years.

HARRY BELL

Admitted to The West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum, Menston 16th July 1892

Age at admission … 5 years

Facts Observed … Never still, always crying, cannot talk, epileptic fits.

Other Facts Communicated … Mother cannot do anything with him, destroys anything he can, dirty in his habits, puts everything he can into his mouth, hurtful or otherwise.

Mental State … Is one of idiocy. No information can be elicited from the patient, as he is too young to give any, besides he is unable to speak. The patients mother says that he was able to speak when two years old he had a series of epileptic fits at that age, since then he has not been able to talk. The mother says all the other children are healthy and have not suffered from fits. She looks a fairly healthy woman. The father is a temperant man. There is some colateral heredity in the family.

Physical State … The child is fairly well nourished; free from marks identifying scars, the boy was in a filthy condition pestilence of body and head. Skin and body covered over with dirt. Hair light coloured, irises brown, pupils equal. Seems well formed.

First Admission … Patient is very noisy and continually walking about, crying etc. Taken food, passed water had been put into a side room last night.

Respiratory System… Healthy
Circulatory ………….Healthy
Urinary ……………...Normal
Diagnosis ……………Idiocy
Causation……………Congenital Defect – Fits
Prognosis ……………Unfavourable

July 21st 1892 … Has had a fit every night since admission. Is dirty in habits. Takes food very well, he’s in good health, transferred to Epileptic Ward.

August 17th 1892 … Has frequent fits as before, is an untidy, mischievous, restless, destructive imbecile and requires constant care and attention which he gets from the other epileptic females. Is in feeble health but well nourished.

October 2nd 1892 … No medical change mentally and bodily. Has glandular swelling in neck, treated with Syn Feri Iodide so improved a little bodily.

Jan 12th 1893 … Is rather more feeble bodily glandular swelling improved but fits are frequent and several, condition not as satisfactory as formerly. Takes food well but tends to vomit after it.

February 4th 1893 … No material change since last time. Still feeble and has frequent fits.

April 21st 1893 … No mental change, bodily condition much improved is mischievous and dirty in his habits.

July 16th 1893 … Strong and in good general condition has however occasional enlarged glands in his neck which disappears under Syn Feri Iodide. Takes food well, fits fairly frequent and followed by considerable salivation.

March 3rd 1893 … No change mentally or bodily.
J R Whitwell

October 25th 1894 … Patient has fits of comparative frequency for the period of these attacks is very teary and miserable. He eats his food intently with great enjoyment but cannot speak. The glands of the neck developed into an abscess of considerable size which was opened and has healed very well. He has very little mind and bodily condition is distinctly poor.
Herbert Barraclough

April 21st 1895 … Fits are not as frequent as formerly and are not as strong. Cannot speak at all but makes some unintelligible noises. In fair bodily condition.
John Davies

September 20th 1895 … No change mentally or bodily.

December 29th 1895 … Patient is an epileptic imbecile. He does not have fits very frequently but at long intervals he will have several in rapid succession. He gives very little trouble from excitement or violence, but is negligent and requires considerable attention. He is dumb and can only make some quite unintelligible sounds. Bodily condition fair.

March 2nd 1896 … No change mentally or bodily.
R W M

June 2nd 1896 … No change to report in this patient’s condition.
J McDowall

December 10th 1896 … This boy’s condition is comparatively satisfactory. He is comparatively free from fits. His health is fair he is happy and contented, appreciates attention from some patients but has no intelligence. LMD

April 22nd 1897 … No change mentally or bodily. A J

September 26th 1897 … For the last two days he has been confined to bed and is suffering from meningitis. His hair has been removed and cold lotions are constantly applied to the head while he is receiving sedative treatment and is kept on light diet. His temperature has varied from 102 to 104 A J

October 1st 1897 … He is still very ill, his temperature reaching 104 today. He is at times quite unconscious and lies without moving, while at other times he tosses about and screams incessantly. He takes a fair amount of light nourishment.

October 5th 1897 … Since last note he has shown signs of improving, his temperature is lower and he is much more settled. S E

October 10th 1897 … His temperature is now normal, he is free from restlessness and is taking some notice of what goes on. He is however much reduced by his illness. S E

October 22nd 1897 … He is still in a very feeble state though a little stronger than at last note and able to be out of bed for a few hours daily. He is very thin and is receiving nourishing diet. S E

October 29th 1897 … Patient has got much feebler since last note, he is very emaciated. He does not take his food well and requires tonic and stimulant treatment.

November 7th 1897 … Patient has had to remain in bed all day sometimes since last note he has had almost no appetite and is going steadily downhill despite treatment.

November 8th 1897 … Died today at 9.15 am W J P

Certificate

Name Harry Bell Sex Male Age 10


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