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JAMAICA LUNATIC ASYLUM,A correspondent of a oontemporary, writing on the horrible condition of this asylum, says that the subject has for some time engaged the attention of the Lunacy Commissi oners “ I know that the subjeot has for several months engaged their deepest attention; that the Commissioners were, and I believe still are, unanimously impressed with the con viction that a perfectly free and unbiassed commission ought to be feat from England to Jamaica to Inquire into the state of matters connected with the asylum and hospital, and that they wrote very strongly to the Colonial office urging the immediate appointment of such commission, I further know that, although Sir E. B. Lytton, as Colonial Minister, stated in the House of Commons that it was not the intention of the office to send out any commission, he subsequently, in answer to the suggestions of the Commissioners in Lunacy, ad mitted the necessity of such a commission ; and that since his Grace the Duke of Newcastle took office he (the Duke) has expressed the strongest, though non official opinions, to the same effect, I know all this, but the old complaint, * circumlocution/ presents its slough-like expanse to retard the progress of immediate action. The Colonial* office stlU insists that the Governor and the House of Assembly of Jamaica (which, by the way, will not meet till the end of October) m ust again be consulted on the subjeot. Hencs ‘ this tolerance of and dallying with frightful and most blameworthy inhumanity’ complained of by ‘A Clergyman of the Church of England,’ and another instance of the old adage of the * horse starving while grass Is growing.’ ” The following letter has also been published : —‘‘Office of Commissioners in Lunacy, 19, Whitehill-ploe, S,W,, August 24, 1859. Sir,—On the 14th of May and 25th of June this Board addressed letters containing the expression of their very afcrong and deoided sentiments respecting the necessity of an Immediate, searching and impartial inqu,Fy Into the alleged frightful end disgusting state of the Hospital and Lunatio Asylum in Jamaica. I have, as chair man, requested permission to furnish you with copie3 of these letters, The Secretary of State has replied that ‘ such communication would be inexpedient for the public interest,’ 1 by no means concur In this opinion.—I am, Sir, mg.,“ Dr. Bowerbank, M.D,” “Shaftesbury.
Newspaper Details
Evening Star
London, Middlesex, GB
Thu, Sep 08, 1859
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Rachel H.
USA 18 Nov 2022
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