Patients - Explore Bethlem

Name of Patient.

Frances Sophia Burroughs

Gender.

Female

Age.

53

Admitted.

February 1st, 1893

Residence at or immediately previous to date.

Croudall, Hampshire

Rank, Profession or Occupation.

None

Degree of Education.

Religious Persuasion.

Church of England

Married, Single or Widowed.

Widow

Number of Children.

Age of youngest Child.

Whether the first Attack.

Yes

Age on first Attack.

53

Duration of existing Attack.

5 weeks

How many previous Attacks.

Confined in any Lunatic Asylum.

No

Where.

When.

And how long.

Supposed cause of Insanity.

Shock

Exciting.

Illness and death of husband – Straitened circumstances

Predisposing.

Whether Suicidal.

No

Whether dangerous to others, and in what way.

Is violent

State of Bodily Health.

Poor – Very thin

Whether of sober habits.

Yes

Relatives afflicted with Insanity.

None

Urgency Certificate. (if any).           William Tewing Spurrell, Church Crookham, Farnham, Hampshire.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
She has an excited expression and general appearance of great mental anguish, screaming at the same time and wringing her hands and throwing herself about in bed. She is in a very emaciated condition. She refuses to speak and appears not to recognise those around her.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Informed by Charlotte Dimes (Cook), at the Cedars, Croudall – she becomes violent at times, throwing things at and trying to strike those around her. Often refuses to take food.
February 1st 1893.

1st Medical Certificate.         Howard Dislin, 153 Kennington Park Road.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
She has an emaciated and very dejected appearance. She was shrieking and crying. She would not speak but only occasionally nod or shake her head. When asked if she had been rightly brought here she nodded an affirmative, as she also did when asked if she thought herself very wicked. She shook her head when asked if she thought she would ever be well again.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Mary Jane Packe, Attendant, Bethlem Royal Hospital informs me that the patient has not spoken a word since admission, although frequently spoken to. She cries the whole time.
February 4th 1893.

2nd Medical Certificate.        William Tewing Spurrell, Church Crookham, Farnham, Hampshire.
a. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself at the time of Examination, viz.—
She has an excited expression and general appearance of great mental anguish, screaming at the same time and wringing her hands and throwing herself about in bed. She is in a very emaciated condition. She refuses to speak and appears not to recognise those around her.

b. Facts communicated by others.
Informed by Charlotte Dimes (Cook) at the Cedars, Croudall that she is violent at times, throwing things at, and striking those about her. She often refuses to take food.
February 2nd 1893.

Discharged.

Left the Hospital.

Died.

Relation of Informant to Patient:   Son (only).

Family History.
Insanity or other Diseases of Nervous System:   None.
Phthsis:   None.
Alcoholism:   None.
Diabetes:       None.
Other Diseases:   Informant knows of none.

Previous History.
Neuroses in Patient:
‘Hysterical’ for about a fortnight a year ago. Neuralgia of face both sides – severe – as long as informant remembers.
Acute Rheumatism or Chorea:   Neither.
Fits – epileptic or hysterical:
Had attacks of epilepsy before puberty. None since.
Fits – infantile:  
Fevers, &c.:   Knows of none.
Syphilis:   Could not ascertain.
Other Diseases:   Knows of none – always healthy.
Sober:   Yes – Takes a little alcohol.
Number and nature of previous attacks:   None.
Injuries or shocks:   Husband’s death after prolonged illness (18 months).
Catamenia:   Could not ascertain.

Present Attack.
Time of earliest symptoms:   About six weeks ago.
Nature of earliest symptoms:   Depression.
Progress of case:
Husband died Dec. ’92 on board ship off Rio de Janeiro. Informant didn’t see patient till arrival in England Jan 2nd ’93. She did not recognise her son – lay with her eyes shut perfectly quiet – About 2 weeks ago began to be excited and violent and threw things about. Very thin on arrival.
Suicidal or Dangerous (facts):
About a fortnight ago went to a draw known to contain razors but had not definitely expressed any suicidal intentions. Has thrown glasses at nurse.
Tendency to leave home:   None.

Hallucinations (observed before admission).
of Sight:   None observed – but she does not speak.
of Hearing:   None – but she does not speak.
of Taste:   None – but she does not speak.
of Smell:   None – but she does not speak.
of Common Sensation:   None – but she does not speak.

On Admission.

Presence or Absence of Bruises:   None.
Tongue:   Clean – Steady.
Palate and Teeth:
Appetite:   Fairly good.
Bowels:   Open.
Abdominal Viscera:
Pelvic Viscera:
Catamenia:
Urine:   Acid – 1025 – ?? No albumen. No sugar.
Heart, Pulse, etc.:   80 – req: poor rd. and tension. Apex beat – 5th space – inside nipple line. No murmur.
Lungs:   Natural.
Eyes and Sight: Apparently natural.
Pupils:   Equal – React normally to light and accommodation.
Ears and Hearing:   Natural.
Taste and Smell:   Could not ascertain.
Common Sensation:   Natural.
Dynamometer:  
Handwriting:  
Walk:   Natural.
Reflexes:   Brisk – Knee jerks.
Temperature:   Normal.
Weight:   Much wasting during the last four months.
Sleep:   Good.
Dreams:  
Reaction to questions:   Will not answer a word – Nods head in answer.
Memory, Recent:   Could not be tested.
Remote:   Could not be tested.
Delusions, Exaltation:   No.
Depression:   Yes.
Delusions related to digestion or food:   Could not be tested.
Poison:   Could not be ascertained.
Obstruction:   Could not be ascertained.
Hallucinations of Taste and Smell:   Not tested. Patient would not speak.
Hallucinations of Sight:   Not tested. Patient would not speak.
Hallucinations of Hearing:   Not tested. Patient would not speak.
Hallucinations of Common Sensation:  Not tested. Patient would not speak.
Suicidal or Homicidal:   Neither.
Diagnosis:   Melancholia.
Prognosis:   Fair.

Patient has a pinched face and is very thin generally – almost emaciated – is very miserable and constantly sits apart taking no interest in her surroundings, occasionally sighing and at other times bursting into tears and moaning piteously. She will do as requested, but will not speak a single word – She replies by nodding or shaking her head.
Feb. 4 – Visited by Mr Gill JP for purposes of making reception orders. Refused to speak, moaned and covered her face with hands.
Feb. 5 – Patient slept seven hours last night without draught.
Feb. 6 – Patient still maintains complete silence.
Feb. 9 – Patient was walking in Airing Court alone and with head bent forward as though brooding. She refused to speak when addressed – She takes food well.
Feb. 11 – Still sits absolutely apart, refuses to speak and maintains attitude of grief with face buried in her hands. Looks stouter – Sleeps and eats well.
Feb. 14 – About the same as last note – Sleeps on an average 7 hours (no draught).
Feb. 21 – Patient’s general health is good and she is gaining flesh. She still holds entirely aloof and sits with face buried in her hands and refuses to speak or to take any interest in her surroundings.
Feb. 23 – Yesterday was removed (from I. A.) to Infirmary No. 2 – Had very little sleep – groaned audibly most of the night – Still refuses to speak.
Mar. 16 – Lies about alone all day and groans. No change.
Apr. 9 – Complaining of pain in head – ordered ?? gr i 3 times a day. Will not speak – communicates her wants by writing.
Apr. 11 – Still complains of pain.
May 11 – About the same. Has complained less of pain in the head lately.
Jun. 13 – Still cries a good deal. ??
Jun. 29 – Refuses to speak, writes everything – Very agitated and miserable.
Jun. 29 – Sample of patients writing.
What do you ?? I know I shall never recover. I have lost all I hold dear on earth – I shall never be fit to be with him again – I get ?? and it is agony for me to see ??
Aug. 10 – Is still very depressed.
Sep. 15 – Is steadily improving.
Oct. 1 – Is greatly improved. Does not shriek out as she used to.
Oct. 20 – Employs herself now and is steadily improving.
Nov. 13 – Is improving daily, says she can never recover, that she feels she must strike someone, and that the tendency to do something rash is almost overpowering.
Dec. 5 – No change.

1894
Jan. 18 – Is much quieter and better. Still states that she can never recover, that all is lost, and she does not know what is going to become of her. At times feels that she is going to give way and do some damage. Fears ?? she ?? become violent.
Mar. 12 – Has gradually improved. Still however has miserable feeling. In the belief that she can never recover. Occasionally screams at night. During the day is less agitated.
May 16 – Time extended 3 months.
May 22 – To Witley.
May 24 – Has become depressed and agitated. Begs to be allowed to return. Feels that she really will break out and give a lot of trouble. Brought back to hospital.
Jun. 16 – Since she returned she has been restless, agitated and destructive. Has torn up her clothing. Has had to wear stray clothing. Sent to I. A.
Aug. 8 – Discharged uncured. Transferred to St. Luke’s.
Oct. 24, 1896 – Dr Rawes writes that patient has now recovered and has been discharged.