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Attention is also paid to the physical side of training, and
regular times are set aside for drill and concerted games.
The health of the patients generally has been very good, apart
from minor ailments which occur from time to time. It has been
observed that the companionship of persons of their own mentality
has a wholesome influence upon their development and character;
they become more reliable and useful, a fact which parents are
quick to notice on visiting days. Occasionally low grade defectives
may have out-bursts of temper, whilst others may be subject to
frequent epileptic fits, which require closer care and supervision
from the staff. Otherwise the life of the Colony is very smooth
and amicable.
A point which merits consideration is the fact that there are
a number of vacancies amongst the male juveniles. This is
accounted for by the limited length of time during which children
of this age are available for admission. It would therefore appear
desirable in the future extensions of the Colony, to provide a
larger percentage of places for adults than for children.
The Colony, which is administered from my department, is
under the detailed supervision of my deputy (Dr. T. W. Hill) to
whom I am indebted for most of the above report. Urgent cases
and admissions are seen by arrangement with a local general
practitioner with experience of mental defects (Dr. N. MacFarlane).
A Matron Superintendent (Miss W. S. Butler) is responsible
for the general routine of the Institution, and for the duties of the
staff, which consist of:—
Matron Superintendent.
1 Male Charge Nurse.
1 Female Charge Nurse.
5 Male Nurses.
7 Female Nurses.
1 Cook.
2 Housemaids.
2 Kitchen Maids.
1 Handyman.
3 Porters.
By an agreement with the County Borough of East Ham,
suitable mental deficiency cases occurring in that Borough are
accepted on a capitation basis. On the 31st December, there were
70 cases from West Ham and 42 cases from East Ham resident
at the Institution.
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