PATIENT RECORDS

The earlier records were greatly influenced by Dr Conolly who arranged new series of records to show more detailed case histories to allow for research and analysis on the causes of mental illness (H11/HLL/B2, B4, B15, B16). Similarly in 1845 Dr Hitchman started a series of autopsy records to conduct research on physical changes associated with mental illness (H11/HLL/B28, B30). From August 1845 the format of medical records was determined by law, and was revised and extended by later Acts and rules in 1853, 1873, 1906 and 1930. This accounts for the change of format in the middle of series and the overlapping and profusion of series. There is a particularly good series of casebooks from 1831-1930, which from approximately 1890 include photographs of patients.

Patients' records are closed for 100 years.

The Medical Superintendents for the male and female sides of the Asylum administered the patients with the help of junior doctors and an apothecary. The Matron was in charge of female attendants and Inspectors were in charge of male attendants. Patients' records were kept by the Medical Superintendents.