| 206 | L U K | |
strength beyond the reach of physic, or by
the patients falling into the hands of per-
sons unskilled in the treatment of this dis-
order. And many of the unhappy per-
sons afflicted with it, have from this delay,
and the want of being put under the care
of those experienced in guarding against
their attempts, frequently committed the
most fatal acts of violence on them-
selves, their relations and attendants. Had
they joined this to Bethlem hospital, it
would have deprived it of two of its prin-
cipal advantages, the being under the im-
mediate inspection and government of its
own patrons and supporters; and of in-
troducing more gentlemen of the faculty
to the study and practice of one of the
most important branches of physic.
In this hospital patients are taken in
according to the order of time in which
the petitions of their friends have been de-
livered to the Secretary, without favour or
partiality. They are even admitted with-
out any expence, except only such as are
parish poor must have their bedding pro-
vided, and this they are at liberty to take
away at their discharge.
On the admission of every patient, two
responsible housekeepers, residing within
the bills of mortality, must enter into a
bond to the Treasurer for the time being,
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in the penalty of 100l. to take away such
patient within seven days after notice given
them for that purpose by the committee,
or their Secretary. These securities must
leave their names with their places of
abode in writing, delivered to the Secre-
tary at least four days before such admis-
sion, and must be approved of by the com-
mittee: but no Governor is to be security
for any patient.
The patients in this hospital are not
exposed to public view; and no money re-
ceived for the use of this charity, is ex-
pended in entertaining the general court
of committee at any of their meetings.
But no person is to be admitted who
has been a lunatic above twelve calendar
months; or has been discharged as in-
curable from any other hospital for the re-
ception of lunatics; or who has the ve-
nereal disease; is troubled with epilep-
tic or convulsive fits, or is deemed an
ideot; nor any woman with child.
The general committee receive imme-
diately into the hospital any patient who
shall have been discharged cured, in case
such patient relapses within two months.
The general committee also take in by ro-
tation such patients as are discharged un-
cured; but each of them is to pay 5s. per
week, till the charity is enabled to lessen
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