View report page

The grading of the patients has remained as before. As far
as possible one endeavours to place new patients in a villa
containing the same degree and type of mental defect. In one
villa, "The Maples," one of the smaller day rooms is used
as a sick bay and dormitory for patients whose physical condition
makes it inadvisable for them to be moved upstairs.
Another small dayroom in one of the villas for women is used
as a sewing-room for the dressmaker. In two of the villas for
males—viz., "The Rowans" and "The Oaks"— a small
day room in each is used as additional dormitory space. These
two villas are at present accommodating 70 patients each instead
of their normal complement of 60.
GENERAL HEALTH. This has again been very satisfactory.
Apart from the residue of influenzal cases that continued
into the early part of January, 1947, there has not been
any epidemic. I am grateful to the Medical Superintendent of
Whipps Cross Hospital for permitting me to send patients there
for whom specialised treatment was considered necessary. Four
patients from this Colony were admitted there during the year,
1 for acute appendicitis, 1 for specified treatment to his eye,
1 for a large dental cyst, and 1 for a carcinoma of the breast.
There were 12 deaths during the year: 5 were cases under
Order and 7 were so-called "evacuees." Causes of death are
set out below:—
Male Female
1 Schilders' Disease 2 Status Epilepticus
1 Broncho-Pneumonia 5 Broncho-Pneumonia
1 Tuberculous Meningitis 1 Lobar Pneumonia
1 Mitral Stenosis
Three of the cases due to Broncho-Pneumonia were idiots,
and the Broncho-Pneumonia was secondary to Chronic Bronchitis,
Cretinism and Infantilism with Cerebral Diplegia respectively.
One patient gave birth to an illegitimate child: she had
become pregnant on licence, and was admitted to Forest Gate
Hospital to have her baby.
Dental treatment is given by Mr. D. Hamilton Weir, of
Brentwood, who attends approximately once a month for this
purpose.
GENERAL BEHAVIOUR OF PATIENTS. This has
remained consistently good. Eleven patients (8 men and 3
women) have been absent for periods exceeding 48 hours, 2
have absconded on two occasions this year, and 8 have
absconded and attempted to escape on more than one occasion
previously. Two of the patients have been sent to prison
whilst absent without leave and then discharged by "operation
of law." Acts of violence on other patients, staff and Hospital
property are very few.
LICENCE. Sixteen patients (8 male and 8 female) proceeded
on licence, of whom 7 returned and 1 was discharged;
55