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DEATHS. Two patients (1 male, 1 female) died during
the year. The cause of death in these cases was: —
1. Acute Suppurative Broncho-Pneumonia.
2. Emphysema and Acute Cardiac Dilatation.
Both these deaths were reported to the Coroner, in accordance
with the regulations of the Mental Deficiency Acts, and
a post-mortem examination was held in each case, but the
Coroner ruled an inquest to be unnecessary.
On the 21st January, 1946, a visit was paid to the Hospital
by Dr. H. C. Devas, a Commissioner of the Board of Control.
EMPLOYMENT. All the ambulant patients who are
physically able do various jobs and make themselves generally
useful in and around the Hospital wards, departments, grounds,
and the farm land, under supervision.
The Handicrafts Department for the female patients maintained
its output of useful work during the year. The patients
in this department are under the supervision of the Handicrafts
Instructress.
A small number of the male patients are employed in the
Brush-making and Boot-repairing Shops, under the supervision
of the Handicrafts Instructor and the Boot-maker Instructor.
RECREATION. As much recreation is allowed the
patients at Forest Gate Hospital as the limited facilities permit.
With the end of hostilities, it was possible to resume the
pre-war road-walk exercise outside the precincts of the Hospital
grounds, and the patients appreciate the resumption of this
privilege.
Many of the patients are given periodical and seasonal
leave at the request of the responsible relatives, and they
undoubtedly benefit by this change.
The showing of talking pictures during the winter months
November-April was much appreciated by the patients.
Readers are referred to the paragraph under the Maternity
Unit Section of the Annual Report for 1946 relative to the
undesirability of maintaining this section of the patients at
Forest Gate Hospital.
WEST HAM NERVE CLINIC
Report by Dr. George Somerville, M.D., D.P.M.
The year 1946 saw both an increase in the volume of work
and an extension of the field of activity of this Clinic. Progress
has been made towards achieving that smoothness and continuity
of treatment so necessary in out-patient psychiatry, and,
as the following analysis of work shows, expansion and progress
are likely to continue in this essential department of the
psychiatric services of the Borough.
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