Patients - Explore Bethlem

Name of Patient.

Hannah Levy Bensusan

Gender.

Female

Age.

18.5

Admitted.

April 28th, 1893

Residence at or immediately previous to date.

11 Mowbray Road, Upper Norwood

Rank, Profession or Occupation.

None

Degree of Education.

Fair

Religious Persuasion.

Jewish

Married, Single or Widowed.

Single

Number of Children.

Age of youngest Child.

Whether the first Attack.

Yes

Age on first Attack.

18½

Duration of existing Attack.

About 8 days

How many previous Attacks.

None

Confined in any Lunatic Asylum.

Nowhere

Where.

When.

And how long.

Supposed cause of Insanity.

Not known

Exciting.

Predisposing.

Whether Suicidal.

No

Whether dangerous to others, and in what way.

No

State of Bodily Health.

Poor

Whether of sober habits.

Yes

Relatives afflicted with Insanity.

No

Urgency Certificate. (if any).           George Roe Carter, 2 Anerley Park, Anerley, S.E.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
Incoherent talking with great mental fear and excitement of the patient, could not induce her to take nourishment or medicine, clung to me and entreated me not to leave her, as there were persons about to murder her and she was also chased by mad dogs which greatly distressed her.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Jessie Talbot, nurse in charge of patient, 96 Wimpole Street, W., informs me that patient has been most excitable and violent at times, using abusive language, and passes her motions and urine involuntarily and will not take medicine or nourishment.
April 27th 1893.

1st Medical Certificate.         George Roe Carter, 2 Anerley Park, Anerley, S.E.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
Incoherent talking with great mental excitement and distress, clung to me and implored of me not to leave her as there were people in the room waiting to murder her; and that she was also chased by mad dogs, etc. I could not induce her to take either medicine or nourishment, she spat it out and threw it over the bed and resisted examination with stethoscope.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Jessie Talbot, nurse in charge, 96 Wimpole Street, London, W., informs me that patient has been very excitable and violent at times using abusive language and passes her motions and urine involuntarily and refuses food and medicine.
April 29th 1893.

2nd Medical Certificate.        William Francis Umney, M.D., Cardley House, Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, S.E.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
Patient has a wild vacant look – Her conversation is almost unintelligible and quite incoherent. Called me Nick, and said they were trying to kill her.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Margaret Larkman, attendant, the Bethlem Royal Hospital, tells me patient tried to hit and slap the attendants, has to be fed as she refuses to take food herself – is dirty in her habits.
April 28th 1893.

Discharged.

Left the Hospital.

Died.

Relation of Informant to Patient:   Father.

Family History.
Father and mother living -  healthy. Four brothers and sisters, all healthy.
Insanity or other Diseases of Nervous System:
Mother’s father eccentric. Father & mother are 3rd cousins.
Phthsis:   No.
Alcoholism:   No.
Diabetes:    No.
Other Diseases:   Family history on father’s and mother’s side seems very good, most living to old age.


Previous History.
Neuroses in Patient: Always weakly and rather dull – excitable.
Acute Rheumatism or Chorea:   No.
Fits – epileptic or hysterical:   No.
Fits – infantile:   No.
Fevers, &c.:   Measles. No influenza.
Syphilis:  
Other Diseases:   Slight curve of leg. ??
Sober:   Yes.
Number and nature of previous attacks:   No.
Her articulation is always indistinct, when she is quite well, sometimes so much so that it is difficult to understand her.
Injuries or shocks:   No.
Catamenia:   Regular.

Present Attack.
Time of earliest symptoms:   April 17th 1893.
Nature of earliest symptoms:  
Told a friend that she was engaged to a young man, that the Queen would be very pleased to hear of it and that there was to be a dance at her home; for all of which there was no foundation.
Progress of case:
Seemed excited but was fairly quiet till 4 or 5 days upon admission – she also refused to take food and was noisy and violent.
Suicidal or Dangerous (facts):   No.
Tendency to leave home:   No.

Hallucinations (observed before admission).
of Sight:   Thought she saw people in the corner of the room.
of Hearing:   No.
of Taste:   No.
of Smell:   No.
of Common Sensation:   No.

On Admission.

Presence or Absence of Bruises:   Clean – free from bruises.
Tongue:   Dry, brown fur. No tremor.
Palate and Teeth:   Teeth crowded together. High palate – no cleft.
Appetite:   Taking food badly.
Bowels:  
Abdominal Viscera:   Nothing abnormal.
Pelvic Viscera:   Nothing abnormal.
Catamenia:
Urine:   1018. Acid, small deposit of ??, trace of albumen. No sugar.
Heart, Pulse, etc.:   Nothing abnormal.
Lungs:   Nothing abnormal.
Eyes and Sight:
Pupils:   Equal, act to light.
Ears and Hearing:
Taste and Smell:
Common Sensation:
Dynamometer:
Handwriting:
Walk:
Reflexes:
Temperature:  
Weight:
Sleep:
Dreams:
Reaction to questions:   Very bad.
Memory, Recent:?
Remote:?
Delusions, Exaltation:
Depression:
Delusions related to digestion or food:?
Poison:?
Obstruction:?
Hallucinations of Taste and Smell:?
Hallucinations of Sight:?
Hallucinations of Hearing:?
Hallucinations of Common Sensation:?
Suicidal or Homicidal:
Diagnosis:   Acute mania.
Prognosis:   Good.

Patient is slight and girlish looking. Face very pale. Hair black. She is noisy and passes evacuations under her. She seems to be frightened and occasionally springs back as if she thinks she is going to be struck. She speaks very indistinctly and in a low voice so that it is difficult to understand what she says. The only question to which she gave a distinct answer was about her age which she answered correctly – said her name was “Mamie” or something like it; seemed to remember coming here this morning and also who came with her; assented when asked if she was frightened but would not say why; refused food when she came in first thing this morning but took some custard for dinner.
In strong room in I.B.
When chest was examined in the evening, she spoke more distinctly, seemed afraid of the light (candle) and thought she was going to be burnt.
Apr. 29 – Was noisy last night, slept four hours – Had to be fed with nasal tube today; strikes the nurses and calls them “devils”.
May 2 – Better. Up today for the first time. She is very silent and still seems frightened.
May 4 – Crying today – is very friendly with Miss Hewitt, an excited patient, takes her arm and keeps near her.
May 8 – Looks better. Is rather excited today, dancing and attitudinising – Takes food well.
May 14 – Quieter.
May 20 – Looks better. Is silent and confused; mutters at times.
May 27 – About the same.
Jun 13 – Still very confused. Sings frequently.
Jun 29 – Somewhat inclined to be erotic kisses her hand at M.O.’s and always follows them about the court. Untidy in dress and appearance.
Aug 12 – Is becoming more weak minded. Just as untidy and careless in dress as formerly. Is erotic.
Oct 15 – Has gradually improved during the last few days.
Dec 5 – Since last note has made good progress. Is now fairly bright, and dresses more tidily. Is fatter, and looks as if on the road to recovery.
Dec 20 – Leave 1 week.
1894
Jan 10 – Leave granted 1 month.
Feb 28 – Leave 1 month extended.
Mar 7 – Leave extended 1 month.

Letter from Dr. George Roe Carter, 2 Anerley Park, dated April 2, 1894:
This is to certify that Miss Hannah L. Bensusan is in my opinion, sufficiently recovered when discharged.

Apr 4 – Discharged well.