Psychological Retrospect
165
During the last few months the scientific world have been busily discussing the ” The Penge Mystery.” The editor of this journal acted as medical secretaiy to the Penge Defence Asso- ciation, and obtained upwards of three hundred signatures to the petition, the opinion expressed being that the deceased met her death from brain disease and not from starvation. The case has been so fully argued of late that we must content ourselves by giving two letters from eminent medical autho- rities forwarded to the editor of this journal, as well as the published opinion of the editor, in which the case is freely discussed. The editor writes:?”Now that public feeling and sentiment have to a certain extent subsided in connection with the Penge mystery, I propose to consider in detail the facts connected with the case in their medico-legal aspect. Where human life is at stake, and is to be sacrificed to theoretical scientific evidence opposed by other evidence equally scientific, but which proves results diametrically oj^posite, our gravest considerations should be brought to bear in discussing the ques- tion. I have frequently urged the advisability of the appoint- ment of a medical assessor, who would be able to assist the jury in their endeavours to ferret out the meaning of the various technical terms made use of. Surely the life of a human being is of more consequence than the life of a ship, and yet we hear of Admiralty assessors who aid in investigations of ship- wrecks. We cannot expect that a British jury, however intelli- gent they may be, can understand the meaning of such terms as tubercular, meningitis, diabetes, tubercles at the base of the brain, and other expressions made use of during the trial, equally confusing to a non-professional person, especially when the various counsel, and lastly the judge himself, put their own con- struction upon the terms uncontradicted. In a question of guilt as opposed to innocence the jury are doubtless able to give a shrewd opinion from the facts of tlie case and the circumstantial evidence placed before them. But when their verdict depends upon some pathological change in an organ, or upon some morbid appearances variously described by medical experts, they are as unfit to decide the question as they would he to make the post-mortem examination of the body upon whose case they are called to adjudicate. I propose briefly to consider a few circumstances and facts connected with the case which are conclusive to my mind that the deceased met her death from natural causes. The principal evidence for the prosecution, and upon which the prisoners have been convicted of wilful murder and sentenced to death, is that of Dr Longrigg, who was the first medical man called to the case, and who alone can describe the symptoms immediately preceding death. It appears that he gave a certificate of death from cerebral disease associated with apoplexy, but subsequently withdrew his certificate. He informed the court that the post-mortem examination revealed the following pathological changes : tubercular deposit on the membranes of the brain, and also in one of the lungs; old adhesions were also found, and congestion of the brain. These conditions were all consistent with the cerebral symptoms observed shortly previous to death. Dr Longrigg, in reply to Mr. Clarke, stated that it was congestion of the brain and lungs that induced him to infer that death resulted from starvation, but notwithstanding this he went on to say in reply to the following question put to him by Mr. Clarke, ‘ Was not this state of the brain indicative of ill-health ?’ ‘It was indicative of good health.’ I must confess I am at a loss to reconcile the post-mortem changes and appearances as indicative of a healthy brain. It would indeed be a sorry presumption for us to consider that congestion of the brain, and a morbid deposit of tubercles and adhesions were consistent with a healthy structure. The congestion of the brain was not due to starvation. It was not the result of post-mortem changes ; it was the effect of brain disease. When death has taken place from starvation the organs are wasted and ansemic, but free from all signs of congestion. The morbid appearances found in the brain of the deceased were all indicative of death from natural causes. One of the chief symptoms met with in brain disease is intense emaciation, and refusal of all nourishment is a very frequent occurrence. The patient may have large quantities of food administered, but it fails to nourish, and the patient sinks from exhaustion and inanition, and if, as frequently happens, the case is accompanied by tuberculosis, as was so in the case under discussion, the emaciation becomes extreme. All the symptoms described as having taken place before death were clear evidence of cerebral disease, tlie coma, stertorous breathing, and the inequality of the pupils. It is contrary to general medical opinion that the post-mortem appearances and the symptoms taken together can prove that the deceased met her death by starvation per se. With regard to the mental condition of the deceased, it would have been far better if the proceedings which were commenced by the mother to place her daughter and property under the protection of the Court of Chaucery had been continued. It does not appear from the evidence that this petition was ever presented to the Lord Chancellor for him to grant a hearing before the Lords Justices or Masters in Lunacy. It is seen from the evidence that two medical certificates were obtained, stating that the deceased was of sound mind, but what became of these does not transpire. They could not of themselves stay the proceedings in lunacy, which had already been commenced by Mrs. Butterfield. It frequently happens that conflicting medical evidence is given in commissions in lunacy, and the decision is left to the discretion of the Judge to decide the mental state. There must have been strong grounds for appre- hension in this case, or Mrs. Butterfield would not have initiated the proceedings she did to place her daughter, as a person ‘ non compos mentis’ under the protection of the Court of Chancery. The case under consideration is a grave one, but when sentence of death has been passed upon four human beings based upon the mere theories of certain scientific witnesses and denied by others, let me implore the authorities to ignore public feeling, and to cause a thorough investigation to be made into the true bearings of the case. The great question is whether death might not have resulted from natural causes. In my mind the symptoms and morbid appearances distinctly point to this, and I have little doubt if further investigation is made this doubt will be substantiated, and the prisoners will have the benefit of it. It would be a disgrace to our country to hurl the four victims into eternity without such inquiry.” Dr B. writes :?” Having read the notes of the post-mortem examination of the body of Mrs. Harriet Staunton, as published in the British Medical Journal, and being convinced, from these notes, and from Dr Longrigg’s description of the signs and symptoms which he observed in Mrs. Staunton, that whatever neglect there may have been in the case, there is sufficient evidence of cerebral disease to account for the atrophy of the organs, and for the death of Mrs. Staunton, I would therefore feel obliged if you would add my name to the petition which is about to be presented to the Home Secretary. My reasons for being con- vinced that there was sufficient evidence of cerebral disease are (when taken together) as follows, viz:?the adhesion of the 1G8 psychological retrospect.
membranes of the brain to each other, and to the ccdavarium ; the congestion of the brain, of its membranes and blood-vessels; the millet-seed deposits entangled in the meshes of the pia mater; the inequality of the pupils before death; the pre- sence of tubercle in the lung, which is so common in the insane, even where there have been no symptoms during life of phthisis; the presence of vermin, which will sometimes form (almost) spontaneously upon an insane patient, and even after death, notwithstanding the greatest care; the weights of the various organs, so far as they have been given, do not, when compared with the average weights of the same organs in the insane, exhibit anything very unusual. During the last three years I have performed thirty-three post-mortem examinations of patients who have died insane, and previous to that I had performed post-mortem examinations upon persons who had died sane ; I trust, therefore, that you will not think it is a presumption upon my part to offer so decided an opinion. In this asylum the organs are weighed when a post-mortem examination is made. I would therefore feel obliged if you would compare the following weights with those taken at the Penge post-mortem. The patient, C. B., was a lady aged 66 years, height 5 feet 1 inch, and the post-mortem examination was performed 22 hours after death. The causes of death were colloid cancer of the heart and melancholia. The weights were as follows:?
Oz. Encephalon 38^ Cerebellum … . ? 5^ Heart …… 5f Right lung 9f Left ditto . . ? . ? Liver* …… 23 Spleen …… 2 Right kidney 2f Left ditto 2
” I need scarcely add that this patient (who was a private patient) was treated with every care and attention that we could give her, and yet some of the organs weighed less than the same organs weighed at the Penge post-mortem examination. ” Trusting that the petition may be the means of rescuing these unhappy persons from a death which the medical evidence does not justify.”
Dr W. writes :?” I hereby authorise you to use my name in the matter of a reconsideration of the circumstances attending the case of ‘ the Stauntons.’
The gall bladder contained gall-stouos 97 graiiia bile.
” 1st. Great doubts as to the credibility of Clara Brown. ” 2nd. The insufficient examination made during tbe lifetime of Mrs. Harriet Staunton, as, for instance, the nurse who laid her out after death alone discovered how dirty the skin was. This ought to have been observed by a medical man called to the bedside of an insensible person ; a dirty condition, seal}7, etc. is pathognomic of certain diseases; the stethoscope can scarcely have been carefully employed, without attracting atten- tion to the state of the general surface of the body. The ther- mometer was not used as means of investigation, now universally employed by medical men.
” 3rd. A definite answer as to the cause of death could not be given by an examination of a corpse six days after death, where 110 external or internal lesion existed, and where the absence of poison was proved by direct evidence.
” 4th. No medical man should be permitted to report on oath the results of a post-mortem examination of the envelopes of the brain, who is not prepared with sealed microscopical evidence.”
Norfolk.?Sudden Insanity.?A few days ago Inspector Amiss, of the Norfolk Police, arrived at Victoria Station, Norwich, from Diss, on duty, but instead of proceeding to the Norfolk Central Police Station, lie went and saw the station-master, and while in his oflice burst out crying and behaved very strangely. His son was accordingly sent for, but before he arrived Amiss left the oflice and wandered up tbe platform. Upon an Ipswich train entering tbe station be deliberately walked on to tbe metals, and was knocked down before the train could be stopped. When the carriages were brought to a standstill lie walked out from between tliem, saying be meant to do it. His escape was owing to tbe fact that be fell into a hollow place between tlie rails. He was subsequently found to have broken a rib, and, as bo was labouring under suicidal mania, he was removed home under control.
The above is a remarkable case of sudden insanity, but there must have been some previous symptoms of insanity apparent.
Increase op Lunacy.?The annual reports of the visiting justices of the county asylums, presented at the last Quarter Sessions, show in some instances a remarkable increase of pauper lunacy. In Dorsetshire, Mr. Ployer, M.P., reported, as chairman of the visitors, that the increase of pauper patients from unions in the county had in the course of the past year been the largest that had probably taken place since the establishment of the county lunatic asylum. The number of this class now is 37/, as against 348 at the close of 1870. Of these 177 are males, and 200 females. Mr. Ployer mentioned that ?41,000 had been granted some eighteen years ago for a new asylum, and that wliereas there were formerly about 80 patients there were now nearly 400, both the old and tlie new buildings being crowded. The committee of the Devonshire Asylum reported that there were 747 patients at the end of the year, against 724 at the commencement, and that but 25 beds on the female side are unoccupied. They attributed this not to any increase in the malady of insanity, but partly to the relief afforded to the unions by the Treasury grant, and partly to the fact of many being sent into the asylum for whom it was not originally intended. The chairman, Mr. Sanders, said it was astonishing how the asylum had filled. In Somerset the patients have increased since April from G27 to 644. In this county arrangements are being made for an additional asylum. In Wiltshire the visitors are building a new wing, on the female side, at a cost of nearly ?4,000. At the Sheffield Quarter Sessions, recently, the Earl of Whamcliffe, the chairman, gave some startling statistics with reference to the con- dition of the South Yorkshire Lunatic Asylum, at Wadsley. The number of admissions this year had exceeded those of any previous year since the opening. They were: males, 181 ; females, 200; total, 381. The increase on the number of patients at the end of 1877, over the previous year, was 74; whilst the increase of the previous year was only 60. The total number of patients under care during the year had been 1,170. There were now only 35 beds unoccupied, and it was not expected that the new wings, which would accommodato about 600 additional patients, would bo ready before the autumn. In the meantime several houses on the estate, lately occupied by attendants, are being prepared for the reception of patients.
Increase of Lunacy in Surrey.?During tho last few years there has been a considerable increase of lunacy in Surrey. Tho lunatic asylum provided at Garratt Lane, Wandsworth, has recently been enlarged, and a sum of ?10,000 expended on the building; and there is an asylum at Earlswood for idiots. All this, however, is not sufficient accommodation for pauper lunatics ; and a farm at Coulsdon, near Croydon, consisting of 148 acres, has been purchased for ?25,000, for the erection of an additional county lunatic asylum for Surrey. The sum required will be borrowed upon the security of the county rates. Tho cost of tho new asylum is estimated at ?70,000.
The British Medico! Journal contains the following:? Tiie Hereditariness op Madness.?Tho current of hereditary morbid tendencies presents various aspects in different families. There is the broad stream, which carries with it the taints of gout, consumption, criminality, as well as of insanity, each of these mala- dies being developed in different consanguine relations, in accordance with their moral and physical constitution, their habits, and sur- rounding circumstances. There is the more limited transmission of the factors or influences, whatever these may be, which invariably culminate in certain forms of alienation or nervous diseases, but in no others; and, lastly, the heritage is limited to some particular species of mental disturbance?to suicidal tendency, for example. It would be rash and unpliilosopbical to conclude either that suicide was frequently the result of hereditary vitiation ; that it was a sign of moral perversion at all; or that it was other than the act of a distempered or agitated, but not necessarily of a diseased mind. In glancing over the sad genealogical descents collected by Esquirol, Brierre de Boismont, and Moreau, there constantly recur instances where whole families devote themselves to self-destruction, nearly at the same age, and apparently without any more appreciable in- centive than ennui, disgust at life, or intolerance of incidents which would be regarded by healthier natures as insignificant and trifling. In like manner, such tragedies may be found closing a useful and prosperous career in several generations. In the endeavour to dis- cover the cause of such conduct, inconsistent in many cases with the character and interests and habits of the victim, it is natural to adopt the nearest and readiest solution, especially when it seems suflicient to explain what would otherwise remain inexplicable ; but that such a step must frequently lead astray cannot be doubted, when it is borne in mind that the laws of hereditary disease, even the fact and nature of such a taint, still remain in great doubt and obscurity ; and that in the history of every individual there are thousands of physical affections, perverted sentiments, and wayward fancies and impulses which are equally potent in bringing about self-murder, and even in overriding all other proclivities, whether these lead to hope and health or to trial and anxiety. Another element plays an important, though less conspicuous, part in leading to such catas- trophes. We refer to the incitation, not to the blind impulse which precipitates various persons, strangers to each other, from the Monument or the Vendome Column; but to that feeling which actuates members of the same profession, social group, or family, to resort to an act or a series of acts which have been perpetrated by those whom they love and admire, or upon whom they depend, and with whose opinions, dispositions, and course they have previously placed themselves, or been unconsciously placed in harmony. Tlicso observations have been suggested by the death of the younger Prevost Paradol. This boy may have suffered from some constitu- tional type ; but his age?seventeen?is as rarely influenced by transmitted taints as by grief, depression, or despair. In the absence of more reliable evidence, and in the knowledge that he must liavo been long separated from all direct paternal influences, and that the political or patriotic disappointment which hurried his father away from the contemplation of his country’s misfortunes could scarcely reach the stripling, we are inclined to believe that some unknown influence?it might be the crisis of puberty?directed his thoughts to his father’s last act; and that the similarity or identity of their inner nature suggested emancipation by following his example. We give the following extracts from an excellent little pamphlet by Mr. Robert Johnson, of ^Voodbridge, on “Tlio Amelioration of the Criminal Law “:?
Kleptomania.?Kleptomania, which has long been recognised by the medical, is not recognised by the legal profession. Wc boast of our advancement in physiology, psychology, and humani- tarianism ; yet when a lady of otherwise blameless life suddenly takes to pilfering mutton chops, children’s boots, jewellery, or anything else upon which she can lay hands, we throw our philo- sophy and our humanity to the winds, we brand her as a thief, and, regardless of the fearful consequences to herself, her husband, and her children, we throw her into gaol, and utterly ruin the happiness of her and hers for life. The doctors may be called to prove that she is nervous or excitable, that she has been very ill in time past, and has been obliged to take remedies which have more or less affected her power of control: but all is useless. The evidence is clear, she took the goods, she even secreted them. Her actions have all the appearance of deliberate fraud, and yet her whole conduct from first to last may have been due to physical disorganisa- tion by which her power of self-control has become impaired, leaving her at the mercy of her morbid impulses. But how can she be acquitted, while poorer women, no more or less guilty, aro sent to gaol by the score : so to gaol she goes, although the more thoughtful among judges, magistrates, doctors, and jury feel the hideous cruelty of the proceeding; feel that she should be treated as a patient, and not as a criminal; and that there should be, both for Tier and her poorer sisters in like circumstances, a loophole of escape which does not, but which might exist, and that the infliction of a fine, or of an order of restitution, or discharge upon recognisances to come up for judgment if called upon, woidd be a more fitting punishment than the cruel one of imprisonment.
Such imprisonments are the more to be reprehended as they are utterly useless. The imprisonment of one kleptomaniac will not deter another from pilfering, for the simple reason that in such cases the power of self-control is more or less absent. A conclusive proof of this exists in the fact that in many such cases on record, the moment the prisoner is released, keenly as she has felt her disgrace and degradation, she commcnces to pilfer again. These are cases (and they are very much more numerous both among rich and poor than might be supposed) for the kind supervision of friends, not for the interposition of the Criminal Law. I illustrate my argument by a few examples :
1. I am acquainted with a most estimable and talented man, eminent as an author, who has nevertheless been a kleptomaniac at various periods of his life. His friends recognise his propensity and keep watch over him.
2. I also know a lady, eminent for her good works, and very wealthy, but who nevertheless pilfers anything on which she can lay her hands. She is the mother of a large family, and is greatly respected.
3. Also another lady, who from the ago of seventeen to twenty- five years always pilfered. She had a strong-minded father who recognised her morbid propensity and watched her. At the age of twenty-five years she ccased to steal, and for the following twenty- five years superintended a largo school, leading a most useful life. Slie apparently appropriated tilings in a most artful manner, but it is the belief of her friends that she was at the time scarcely con- scious of what she was doing ; and she herself has not the slightest recollection of her early failings.
All these good and useful lives might have been utterly ruined had the persons in question fallen into less considerate hands. 4. I also remember the case of a lady by birth and education, and of good property, who, otherwise apparently in her right mind, and a much respected person, suddenly acquired a mania for robbing shops. She was watched, and was seen to purloin a piece of meat from a butcher’s window, place it, raw and greasy as it was, under her velvet jacket, and make off with it. The butcher prosecuted her. The case was clear. She was committed to the assizes. Her counsel did what he could. He pointed out the grotesqueness of the act:?that an expensively dressed, refined, and wealthy lady should place a piece of raw butcher’s meat between a velvet jacket and an expensive silk dress, was alone a proof thai she was scarcely accountable for her actions. He showed the absence of motive for the crime ; and the jury, seeing the force of his arguments, although they could not say that she was insane, and could not avoid finding her guilty, strongly recommended her to mercy. But the judge (who clearly cared little for mental pathology) said, that of all the prisoners who in his experience had been recommended to mercy, she deserved it the least, for that she had no excuse for her crime, that she was not needy, that she was well educated, that she moved in excellent society, and therefore knew what was right, and yet she did not withstand the miserable temptation, &c., &c., &c. So the poor creature, nearly beside herself with grief and shame, was carried off to prison. Think of her position at the expiration of her sentence, if indeed she survive it, and say if such an act, committed under such circumstances, deserves such a fearfully vindictive retribution.
Another sad case which came under my notice was that of the wife of a rising professional man, mother of five little children, good and kind and lady-like, far advanced in pregnancy, head probably a little affected, took an article value one shilling from a shop counter: was prosecuted, sentenced to a month’s imprison- ment. This broke her heart, and led to the ruin of her home. In all classes, rich and poor, there are persons who, from weak- ness of will or some abnormal condition of body or mind, will, now and then, commit a dishonest action, just as there are people who are liable to outbursts of passion. It is very common for women, at some period of their lives, to fall into the habit of pil- fering. Do what you will with such persons, they will, until some occult change takes place in their constitution, commit petty thefts. Imprison them, and you break their hearts, or render them despe- rate, often insane. What a mistaken policy to saddle the country with the expense of their imprisonment, let alone the cruelty of the proceeding as regards them and their families !
It is stated that of the criminal lunatics in custody, about G4 per cent, became insane after trial. How many of these poor creatures are likely to have become insane as a consequence of their imprisonment? And how many thousands of poor creatures have had to date their rain from the time when our too severe laws made them outcasts from society in consequence of one false step ? Definition of Criminal Lunacy.?At present a man is held to be legally responsible for his actions if he knows the difference between right and wrong; at the same time it is a well known fact that a large proportion of the inmates of our asylums do possess the power of distinguishing between right and wrong in a greater or less degree, but are recognised as lunatics nevertheless. Here then is an anomaly?men and women are hanged or im- prisoned for crimes of which they are held to be legally guilty, although they would undoubtedly in large numbers of cases be ad- judged by a jury of medical men, to be more or less?or even totally?irresponsible for their actions on the ground of mental or physical disease or disorder.
I well remember a case in which the principle was involved. An educated and well-connected young man was found guilty of stealing money and other valuables from the office of his employer. ” But,” said his doctor, ” I have attended this poor fellow for years. He has epileptic attacks of such frequency and severity that his power of self-control is weakened?place temptation of any kind in his way and he will yield.” “Sir,” said the judge, “do you suppose that he did not know that ho was doing wrong in stealing this money ? ” ” Possibly he did,” said the doctor, ” but he had not the strength of will to act on his knowledge.” “Very well,” said the judge, ” I’ll sentence him to five years’ penal servitude. I dare say he is an invalid, but he will be well looked after in prison.” I felt for the father, mother, young wife, and little children of that poor young fellow.
County Lunacy Administration.?We append an excellent letter from Dr Lockhart Robertson which appeared in the Times, on County Lunacy Administration.
Dr Lockhart Robertson writes :?” One of the important duties which will devolve on the new County Boards will be the adminis- tration of the county lunatic asylums. I venture, therefore, before the County Government Bill goes into Committee, to ask your atten- tion to one important financial question relating to the maintenance of the insane poor?viz. the grant to the unions from the Consoli- dated Fund of 4s. a week for each lunatic confined in the county asylums. When the Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1874 proposed this grant he was careful to inform the House that it was of a tem- porary and tentative kind, and a relief to the landed interest until such time as the promised measures relating to local government and local expenditure were matured. The County Prisons Bill? the first of these measures?is law, and in my humble judgment is a wise and sound financial measure. This County Government Bill is tlie next instalment of local financial reform, and under its provi- sions ought, I think, to be included the permanent adjustment of this grant of 4s. a week to each lunatic in the county asylum?a grant amounting last year to ?380,000; while if the recent very influential deputation which waited upon the President of the Local Government Board were successful in procuring its extension to the lunatics in workhouses it would soon be doubled.
” When this grant was first proposed by the Government you per- mitted me in a short letter in the Times to express a fear that the union authorities might be tempted by the 4s. profit to fill the county asylums with the chronic lunatics detained in the union houses, and that thus this grant?given in relief?would ultimately increase the charge on the county rate by the required extensions of the lunatic asylums. Practically throughout the county asylums I have observed such unnecessary filling up of the wards by incurable lunatics and imbeciles from the workhouses to have been steadily and needlessly practised. In the report of the Lunacy Commissioners for 187G, I find this opinion confirmed. ‘It seems probable (they state) that the pecuniary advantage to unions arising out of the Parliamentary grant of 4s. per head per week for every pauper patient maintained in an asylum has in some counties contributed to increase the number in these institutions by the removal thereto of many patients who but for such inducement would have been retained in workhouses.’ So again Mr. Sclater-Booth, in his 16th report of the Visitors of the Hay wards Heath Asylum, writes :? ‘ There are 43 more patients in this asylum than there were a year ago. In any inquiry into the causes which may have contributed to this increase the Committee consider that the action of tlio Government in making an allowance of 4s. per week to tho several unions for every pauper lunatic in the asylum ought not to be lost sight of.’
” Tho opportunity to which the Chancellor of tho Exchequer looked of placing this 4s. tentative grant towards the county lunacy expenditure on a sound and permanent basis is offered in this County Government Bill. The suggestion I venture to offer is that the amount of the grant instead of going to the union guardians be paid by the Treasury to the new County Boards, to be applied to the payment of two important items in the county asylum maintenance rate?Tiz. the salaries, wages, and pensions, which now averago under 3s. per week; and, secondly, tho repairs, alterations, and future extensions of the fabric, which the remaining shilling of tho 4s. grant would amply cover. The several unions would thus re- ceive a permanent reduction of 3s. a week on the asylum maintenance rate, which would then average from (is. to 7s., while the county rate would be directly relieved of the large sums yearly spent on repair, alteration, and enlargement of the asylum fabric. Thus, when the original cost of construction extended under the Act of 1845 to 30 years is once paid off’, the care and treatment of the insane poor would no longer be a yearly item in the county expenditure, and the unions would have their lunatics treated and cured for the small charge of 7s. per week. So altered and applied, the Govern- ment grant of 4s. from the Consolidated Fund would be a direct and permanent relief to the county expenditure, and the needless crowding of the asylum wards with chronic and imbecile cases would cease.
” Should this proposal find favour with the Government and the House, I would add one further suggestion, which would moreover meet the views of the important deputation of the Medico-Psycho- logical Association which last week had an interview with Mr. Sclater-Booth. According to my proposal the salaries, wages, and pensions of the staff of the county asylums would be defrayed from the 4 s. grant from the Consolidated Fund. Following the analogy of the Prisons Bill (as also of the Poor Law administration) I would suggest that the Government, as represented by the Lunacy Com- missioners, should control the appointment and discharge of their officers and servants by the Lunacy Committee of the new County Boards, as also the grant of superannuation pensions under the Lunacy Acts. The fixity of tenure?especially as regards the medical superintendent?of office which this control of the Lunacy Commissioners would imply can hardly be over-rated in its influence on the well-being and good management of the county asylum. Again, the fears expressed by the deputation of the Medico-Psycho- logical Association as to their superannuation allowance would be allayed by my proposal to transfer this charge from the asylum union rate to the grant from the Consolidated Fund.”
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