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ing of councillors from several boroughs, together with the chief
officials of West Ham. Miss Darwin, a Senior Commissioner of
the Board of Control, honoured the occasion with her presence.
Visits to the institution. On the 23rd April, 1937, a visit
was paid by members of the Board of Control.
In conclusion I would like to express my gratitude for Dr.
Hill's unfailing guidance and support, and for the devoted loyalty
and willing co-operation of all the staff.
Forest Gate Hospital.
Mental Defective and Epileptic Section.
Report by H. R. England, m.b., m.s.a.,
Medical Superintendent.
The approximate number of beds provided for patients who
are mentally defective, or who are both mentally defective and
epileptic, is 453. The number of such patients in the hospital
was invariably in excess of the number of beds provided.
Overcrowding exists in all the wards, but owing to the
lack of adequate accommodation every effort is made to limit the
admission of this class of patient. Only a partial success is
achieved in this direction. Although the local authorities of West
Ham and East Ham request the admission of cases of extreme
urgency only, a large number have to be admitted, irrespective
of accommodation being available, through the relieving officers
and by transfer from other institutions. This is the method by
which all Essex County Council cases, without exception, are
admitted. Thus it will be seen that considerable difficulties stand
in the way of the prevention of continued overcrowding.
The following is a classification of patients in residence on
31st December, 1937.
Degree of defect. Male. Female. Total.
Feeble-minded 94 108 202
Imbecile 49 128 177
Idiot 19 26 45
Total 162 262 424
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