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Patients - Explore Bethlem

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Name of Patient.

Thomas George Callaghan

Gender.

Male

Age.

17

Admitted.

February 19th, 1888


Previous Place of Abode.

27 Brandon Road, Brixton

Occupation.

Messenger


Married.

-

Single.

Yes

Widower.

-

Number of Children.

-

Age of youngest Child.

-


Whether the first Attack.

Yes

Age on first Attack.

17

Duration of existing Attack.

Been unwell about 1 month. Actual attack began February 15th, 1888

How many previous Attacks.

None

Confined in any Lunatic Asylum.

-

Where.

-

When.

-

And how long.

-


Supposed Cause of Insanity.

Not known

 

Exciting.

 

Predisposing.

 

Whether Suicidal.

No

Whether dangerous to others.

Violent

Has the Patient been of sober habits.

Yes

Degree of Education.

Good

State of Bodily Health.

 

Religious Persuasion.

Church of England

Relatives similarly afflicted.

None

And the degrees of Relationship.

-


1st Medical Certificate.        
1. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself.
Violence for no obvious reason – overturning the furniture of the room and throwing water on the fire, requires four men to restrain him. On February 18th he told me he had queer notions – was “to receive the Star of Bethlehem” – must help to save the world”.

2. Other facts (if any) indicating Insanity communicated to me by others.
Sleepless for some time – Said he must save the world and show the Star of Bethlehem – Does not know his mother, required some sign to show that she was his mother – Facts communicated by Christina Callaghan, the mother.
J.J. MacWhirter Dunbar M.D., Hedingham House, Clapham Common, S.W.

2nd Medical Certificate.       
1. Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself.
He is violent requiring to be held down – I saw him assault a man without cause. While mother standing by, repeated mother, where are you, come to me. How do I know it is you. Sleepless.

2. Other facts (if any) indicating Insanity communicated to me by others.
Christina Callaghan (the mother) says that on 16th February he came to her saying Jesus was in the garden – that he must go – smashed the things in room, assaulted a missionary who came to see him – refuses food – refused to be dressed this morning wanted to run out without clothes.
B. Duke, Windmill House, Clapham Common.

Discharged.

Left the Hospital.

Died.


Relation of Informant to Patient:   Mother.

Family History.
Insanity or other Diseases of Nervous System:   None.
Phthsis:   History of [Unknown Greek] on both sides (father and mother).
Alcoholism:   No.
Diabetes:   No.
Other Diseases:   No.

Previous History.
Neuroses in Patient:   No.
Acute Rheumatism or Chorea:   No.
Fits – epileptic or hysterical:   No.
Fits – infantile:  
Fevers, &c.:   No. Wh[ooping Cough] and M[easles] when a child.
Syphilis:  
Other Diseases:   No.
Sober:   Yes.
Number and nature of previous attacks:  
Injuries or shocks:  
Had a blow on head and black eye from a fist 12 months ago. Been overworked lately, hard at work from 9 till 7 every day.

Present Attack.
Time of earliest symptoms:   About 1 month ago.
Nature of earliest symptoms:  
Complained that he felt queer in the head and giddy was confused and wandering when talked to. Said he has pain in back and side. Had discharge from ear for 1 month 7 days got worse, did not know his mother, become violent broke chairs etc. assaulted anyone who came near him.
Progress of case:  
Hardly slept at all. Very difficult to feed. Had delusions that food was poisoned, thought there were some hands touching him. Bowels confined. Never tried to injure himself. Kept trying to undress himself. Would not answer questions.
Suicidal or Dangerous (facts):  
Tendency to leave Home:   No.

Hallucinations.
Sight:   Yes.
Hearing:   ? No.
Taste:   Yes.
Smell:   No.
Common sensibility:   Yes.

On Admission.

Digestive functions --- Tongue:   Dry – Much furred, white.
Appetite:   Bad.
Bowels:   Confined.
Hallucinations of Taste and Smell:  
Delusions related to digestion or food:  
Obstruction:  
Poison:  
State of Lungs:  
State of Heart:  
State of Reproductive Organs:  
Urine, sp. gr.:   Acid – No albumen.
Eyes and sight:   Blue.
Pupils:   Equal.
Hallucinations:  
Ears and Hearing:   (Discharge from right ear and has had rigors).
Hallucinations:  
Common Sensibility:   Good.
Temperature:  
Reaction to questions:   Poor.
Delusions, Exaltations:  
Delusions, Depression:  
Suicidal:  
Homicidal:  
Memory, Recent:   Bad.
Remote:   Bad.
Sleep:   Bad.
Dreams:  
Walk:   Good.
Reflexes:  
Dynamometer:  
Weight:  
Handwriting:  
Diagnosis:  


A faired hair boy, well nourished and well developed, his friends said he was very sharp and clever at school. Tongue very foul, dry and furred, complection white and pasty. Refuses his food. Bowels very confined not properly open after Castor Oil and Enema – Sleeps badly – Was put in No. 4 but had to be removed to No. 1 as he was violent, tried to take his clothes off etc.
Could not tell me what his name was or how long he had been here. It is difficult to get him to answer at all. Was brought to the Hospital bound hand and foot. Had to be fed with stomach pump.
Has been in a position of trust, considerable sums of money passing through his hands.
Feb. 26 – Kept in padded room. Wet and dirty. Refuses his food. Bowels open after Castor Oil. Tongue still brown and furred. Still very confused. Repeats any questions asked him and is then generally unable to answer it.
Mar. 3 – Much improved, less confused and more rational. Up and out. Takes his food well.
Mar. 8 – Not so well last two days. Refuses food, says he wants to go out and earn his living, has to be fed with stomach pump. Still destructive.
Mar. 15 – A little better. Takes his food better. Still whines out that he has not injured anyone and has not done any one any wrong.
Mar. 23 – Looks better in health. Getting stouter. Still repeats all questions asked him before answering them. Not quite so miserable and tearful. Takes his food well.
Apr. 2 – Keeps about the same. Some times miserable and crying, saying he wants to be a good boy and earn his bread, at others more cheerful and happy.
Apr. 23 – No change.
Apr. 30 – The same.
May 18 – Very fat. Very silly in manner. Says he wants to be a good boy and go to Jesus.
Jun. 5 – To Witley. Has lately improved considerably and is quite reasonable. Very fat.
Jul. 3 – Returned – fat and well. Somewhat mischievous – and discharged well.
1889.
Mar. 26 – Came up to Hospital - looks well and fat. Has enlisted in the 57th Regiment.