VPRS 7455 Asylum Records

Full description

The following records are included in the series:

Units 1 3 Outward Correspondence from Medical Superintendent (Letter Books). October 1867 - July 1877

These volumes contain copies of correspondence sent from the Medical Superintendent of the Asylum to various sources - Chief Secretary's Office, other Government Officials, and relatives of patients. There is an index to individual letters at the front of volume one only. The letters are arranged chronologically within the volume. Many are quite difficult to read. These volumes were probably once part of a larger series but they are the only records extant.

Unit 4 Patient Property Book. October 1867 - November 1890

This volume records details of any property and cash brought to the asylum by the patients and details the disposal of the property (most was sent to the Master in Lunacy). Entries are arranged chronologically by date of admission of patient. There is a small amount of correspondence pinned in the volume.

Unit 5 Seclusion Book. October 1867 - October 1868

This volume documents a weekly report on the number of patients kept in seclusion, their name, the reason for them being placed in seclusion, and the duration of seclusion. Each weekly report was signed by the Medical Superintendent. It is the only seclusion book recovered to date.

Unit 6 Numerical Register of Staff and Patients. July 1882 - March 1899

This volume records a daily statistical report of the numbers of staff on duty and patients in residence, and an explanation of the variations in numbers (eg. no of admissions, discharges and deaths.) All the statistical reports are on the right hand side folio. Further notes relating to individuals were written on the left-hand folio. The reports are arranged chronologically. Each month is allocated one folio.

Unit 7 Milk Book. February 1912 - May 1923

This volume maintains a daily record of the amount of milk delivered to the different sections of the Ararat Hospital for the Insane.

Unit 8 Register of Salaries. 1960

This volume records details of salaries paid to staff members. Names of individuals, their title/classification, and salary are documented.

Unit 9 Provisions Accounts Register.

Documents quantities of particular types of food ordered and consumed by staff and patients. Food types listed individually eg., meat, bread, eggs and number of staff and patients:

totals at bottom of page
entries chronological
monthly accounts

Units 10 - 11 Official Visitor's Books. 1893 - 1944

Under the provisions of the Lunacy Act 1915 the Governor-in-Council was to appoint not less than two Justices to be official visitors to visit the metropolitan hospitals and not less than two Justices to be official visitors for each of the country hospitals. The Official Visitors were to be accompanied by the Inspector-General of the Insane. A visit was made at least once every three months. The official visitors were to inspect every part of the building and grounds, every patient (and to inquire whether any patient was under restraint or seclusion and if so why), the registers of patients (including case books), and the order and certificates for the reception of every patient who had been admitted since the last visit. On inspection they were to enter in the "Inspector-General's and Visitors' Book" a memo of the condition of the hospital and patients, the number of patients under restraint or seclusion and the reasons for that treatment, and were to specify any irregularities in any order of certificates. At this Hospital for the Insane the Mayor was apparently one of the Official Visitors.

Although Unit 10 is labelled on its spine as 'Northcote Inebriate Asylum' it was used at the Ararat Asylum. A copy of the Inebriates Act 1890 is placed at the front of the volume. Unit 11 has a copy of the Lunacy Act 1915. The reports of the Official Visitors are arranged chronologically.


LEGISLATION:
Lunacy Statute 1867
Lunacy Amendment Act 1888, Act 986
Lunacy Statute 1890
Lunacy Act 1903, Act 1873
Lunacy Act 1915