Extract from the House Visitor's Report, 1829, August 17:—
"Every attention seems to be paid to the patients, whose general state has, I understand, for some time past, been so generally good that it is gratifying to say that the strait waistcoat has almost become useless."
Extract from the Seventh Annual Report, 1831, March 28:—
"Heretofore it was conceived that the only intention of a receptacle for the insane was the safe custody of the unhappy objects, by any means, however harsh and severe. These views are now passing away, and the fair measure of a superintendent's ability, in the treatment of such patients, will be found in the small number of restraints which are imposed. The new director has answered this test in a very satisfactory manner."
The new director here referred to was Mr. Henry Marston. The following note is appended to this report:—
"As early as the 24th day of November last (viz. Nov., 1830, five years before Mr. Hill's appointment), there was not any patient in the house under restraint, unless one wearing a collar, which leaves all the limbs quite at liberty, can be so considered. This gratifying occurrence has taken place more than once since that time."
Extract from the Ninth Annual Report, 1833, April:—
"It is unceasingly an object in this institution, and should form a prominent point in the annual reports, to dispense with or improve as much as possible the instruments of restraint."
Extract from the House Visitor's Report, 1834, August 4th to 10th inclusive:—
"I have much satisfaction in being able to state that not a single male patient has been under restraint since the 16th of July, and not one female patient since the 1st of August, and then only for a few hours."