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the government of the asylum took place, which resulted in
the dismissal of every servant and officer engaged, and the
resignation of the physician. The rules were revised, and
the whole establishment thoroughly reorganised, since which
time a more humane and gentle regime has been adopted.
Whilst the investigation was in progress a fire occurred
which destroyed one wing of the building, four of the
patients perishing in the flames. The institution has been
considerably enlarged, and has now room for two hundred
patients.
In the grounds is a handsome church, erected in 1865, which
the more convalescent patients are allowed to attend.
The management is vested in a committee of gentlemen
selected from the governors of the institution, who hold quarterly
and annual courts. A donation of £20 constitutes the
giver a life governor. In October, 1877, was celebrated the
centenary of its existence.
THE PAUPER LUNATIC ASYLUM
For the North Eiding of Yorkshire, is at Clifton, about two
miles from York. It is a very extensive pile of buildings, principally
in the Elizabethan style of architecture, and consists of
two wings, running right and left, with the Medical Superintendent's
house in the centre. It was opened in 1847, and
originally designed to accommodate 150 patients; but in 1851
and 1856 such additions were made to it that it is now capable
of domiciling between 500 and 600 patients. The buildings,
with pleasure grounds and shrubberies, occupy about fifteen
acres of land ; the garden and orchard comprise about
forty-five acres. Attached to the establishment is a farm of
about 140 acres, arable and pasture, which is worked by the
patients. There is an embankment 1,000 yards long, 30
feet wide at base, and 12 feet high, near the river, to protect
the grounds from floods. Since the opening there have
been admitted about 2,000 of each sex; the average weekly
cost for each year it has been in existence, per patient for
maintenance, including officers' salaries, attendants, nurses,
servants' wages, together with board and washing, has been
8s. 4d. The average number of patients under care during
the year is between 600 and 700. There is a church
within the grounds capable of seating 320 persons.