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In collaboration with Dr. J. S. Harris and Captain S. A. Mann, chief assistant to the
pathologist, pathological laboratory, Maudsley hospital, "The Lancet," 17th April,
1926.—"Blood Sugar Studies in Encephalitis Lethargica." "Medical Journal," 1st
May, 1926.—" Hyoscine in Post Encephalitis Lethargica; with special reference to its
influence on Carbohydrate Metabolism."
Farming Operations.
53. The special sub-committee appointed to consider and report on the whole
question of the farming operations at the institutions under our direction, referred
to in previous annual reports, have continued their work during the past year. The
Ministry of Agriculture very kindly arranged again for two of their inspectors to
visit, and report upon all the farms. The reports received have been of great assisttance,
and a number of suggestions, notably those as to the purchase and feeding
of cattle have been adopted.
Farming
operations.
54. In the official farm accounts ot the London County mental hospitals
no charge is included for rent, rates and taxes, tithes, repairs and insurance of
buildings, produce sent into the institutions is credited at rates approximately 20
per cent. below the market prices published by the Ministry of Agriculture, and milk
supplied is credited at 20 per cent. less than current contract prices. As thus
kept, the farm accounts for the year 1925-26 give a total debit balance of £4,633, as
against £3,044 for the previous year. This increase can be fully accounted for by
the deficit at one mental hospital (Claybury) where an outbreak of swine fever
occurred.
55. "Trading" accounts for some of the institution farms have been submitted
to us by the comptroller in respect of the years 1924-25 and 1925-6.
Arrangements are being made for similar figures for all the institution farms
to be prepared in future years. These accounts differ from the official accounts
by the inclusion of hypothetical charges, fixed by the valuer, for rent, rates and
repairs, and of interest at 5 per cent. on the working capital, i.e., the amount of
stock on hand. The cost of special allowances to working patients is included,
but no charge is made for patients' labour owing to the varying conditions, which
make it impossible to fix any reliable figure for this. Produce is credited at full
market value.
56. Comparing the "trading" accounts with the official accounts, in respect of
those institutions for which "trading" accounts have been prepared, it appears that
a deficiency is replaced by a credit balance. It is perhaps unnecessary to discuss
this result more fully here: we propose, however, to continue to compare accounts
prepared on a "trading" basis, with the official accounts.
Woman Gynæcologist.
57. The Council has authorised on our suggestion the appointment, as an
experiment for one year, at Horton mental hospital, of a woman medical officer
with special experience in gynaecology.
Massage treatment of patients.
Woman
gynæcologist.
58. On our recommendation the Council has increased the establishment of
staff at each of the large London County mental hospitals by one trained masseuse
(full time or part time, as may be found necessary), the appointment being made
on an unestablished basis.
Massage
treatment
Occupational Therapy.
59. The Council on 16th November 1926, authorised the continued employment
as an experiment of a part-time woman occupations officer at each of the
London County mental hospitals until 31st March, 1927. It has been found that
Occupational
therapy.