Chapters in the History of the Insane in the British Isles

by Daniel Hack Tuke

In consequence of the importance of the Act of 1862, the Commissioners issued the following circular noting its chief provisions:—

Private Patients.

Sec. 23.—The order must be dated within one month prior to reception; the person signing the order must himself have seen the patient within one month prior to its date; and a statement of the time and place when the patient was so seen must be appended to the order.

Sec. 25.—When possible, every order must contain the name and address of one or more relations of the lunatic, to whom notice of the death of a lunatic must be sent.

Sec. 24.—Besides the persons hitherto prohibited from signing certificates and orders, the following also are now disqualified:—Any person receiving any percentage on or otherwise interested in the payments for patients, and the medical attendant as defined in the Lunacy Act, c. 100. Also 15 and 16 Vict., c. 96, s. 12; c. 97, s. 76.

Sec. 26.—Where a patient received as a pauper is made a private patient, no fresh order or certificate is required, and vice versâ.

Sec 28.—With the exception of the statement by the medical officer as to a patient's mental and bodily condition, all the documents heretofore required to be sent to the Commissioners after two or before seven clear days from the reception of the patient, must in future be sent within one clear day from such reception. The medical officer's statement is, as heretofore, not to be sent until after two and before seven clear days.

Letters of Patients.

Sec 40.—Without special directions to the contrary, letters addressed to the Commissioners, committees of Visitors, committees of a hospital, and the Visitors of licensed houses, must be forwarded unopened. Other letters must also be forwarded, unless, by an endorsement thereon, the superintendent or other person having charge of patients should prohibit their transmission. Letters so endorsed to be laid before Commissioners, committees, or Visitors at next visit.

Sec. 38.—Absence on trial may be permitted to patients, in the same way as leave of absence for the benefit of health is permitted under s. 86, c. 100.