APPENDIX H.
([Page 205.])
Extract from the British and Foreign Medical Review, January, 1840:—
"In this particular there is apparently no asylum in England which presents so remarkable a model as that of Lincoln. Of all the works that have appeared on the subject of lunatic houses since the publication of Mr. Tuke's account of the Retreat, there is none which contains matter more deserving of attention than that recently published by Mr. Hill. His lecture is little more than a simple commentary on the resolutions of the board of management of the Lincoln Asylum for twenty years past; during which period, under the superintendence of Dr. Charlesworth, and latterly with the vigilant co-operation of Mr. Hill himself, as house surgeon, almost every kind of bodily restraint is stated to have gradually fallen into disuse as superfluous, a mere substitute for want of watchful care.... If the Lincoln Asylum can present a model of this kind, which all may visit and examine, the services of Dr. Charlesworth to the cause of humanity and in behalf of the insane, already considerable, will only be second to that of him who first released them from their chains."
On this Mr. Hill observes, July 8, 1840:—
"At last the first Medical Review in Europe took up the subject, and placed most deservingly Dr. Charlesworth in a striking position as to the non-restraint system, and also honoured myself with approbation."
The following extracts from the Orders in the Lincoln Asylum books[317] are essential to the right understanding of the introduction of non-restraint there. Dr. Charlesworth was visiting physician from its opening in 1821; Mr. Hill was appointed house surgeon in 1835.
"1828. Ordered—That the use of the strait waistcoat be discontinued in this institution except under the special written order of the physician of the month.
"1828, October 13. Ordered and resolved—That the physicians be requested to consider whether it be possible to make any improvement in the means of restraint now in use, and especially for obviating the use of the strait waistcoat."
Extract from the Fifth Report of the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum, 1829, April:—
"The governors have particularly directed their views to the subject of coercion and restraint, well aware of their injurious consequences to the patients.... The construction of the instruments in use having also been carefully examined, they have destroyed a considerable proportion of those that were not of the most improved and least irritating description, and hope hereafter to introduce still further amelioration into this department."