Thomas Morris (2441)

Admission Details for Patient: Thomas Morris (2441)

Gender: Male Age: 46
Marital Status: Married Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
Occupation: Quarryman
Address: Bethesda, Carnarvonshire

Date of Admission: April 16, 1875
Date of Discharge: July 17, 1875
Discharge Category: Recovered

Disease: Melancholia
Supposed Cause: Mental anxiety

Medical Certificate:
Inattentive to his duties. Also under the impression that his neighbours and fellow workmen are against him and saying that he is anxious to go to his father, sister and children who are dead. By his wife: Getting up at midnight under the impression that his fellow workmen will take him away and sacrifice him, likewise attempting to commit suicide. By Owen Thomas, neighbour: Found him by Felin Fawr reservoir praying, that he was giving up his wife and children to the Lord and that his spirit would soon follow them, also attempting to commit suicide. By Thomas Jones, Penyffridd: Attempting to cut his throat with a scissors. Hugh Hughes, MRCS, LSA, Ogwen Terrace, Bethesda.

Approximate duration of present attack: 14 days

Number of Previous Attacks: 1

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 0

Total Number of Admissions: 1

Relatives affected:

Number of Previous Attacks: 1

Epileptic: No

Suicidal: Yes, tried to drown himself

Dangerous: No

Clean Habit: Yes

Food Refusal:

Sleep Habit: Bad

Destructive Habit: No

Disposition: Sober and industrious - deacon with the Wesleyans

Education: Bad

Physical/Mental State at Examination: Previous health good, had not lost a day's work for many years. Free from bruises. Nervous temperament. Rather thin but in fair bodily health. Tongue clean, bowels open, appetite good. Pulse irritable, heart sounds well defined and sharp, impulse normal in strength. Abnormal resonance on percussion, respiratory murmur a little prolonged. He exhibited symptoms of insanity for the first time six months ago. The Penrhyn quarrymen were on strike but he was one of the few who kept on working and, being greatly annoyed by the former, it preyed on his mind and produced these attacks. On admission he was extremely low and unhappy, moaning and shedding tears, but perfectly rational and well aware of his condition. He said that his mind had given way and that everybody, as he thought, was conspiring against him and that he could not help himself. He also considered himself under the Almighty's displeasure and that he was now being punished for his sins. No delusions. Pupils are unequal, the right being the larger, green irides.

Current Diagnosis: Severe Depressive Episode (F32.3)

Case Notes

1875 Apr 17 - As he was so sleepless he was given Chloral last night after which he slept very fairly.

He is not so desponding and enters easily into conversation. Has been ordered a mixture of Quinine to improve appetite.

Chloral draughts to be repeated.

Apr 19 - Just the same, frequently moaning to himself and very desponding.

Sleeps and eats better.

Medicine and draught continued.

Apr 24 - Considerably improved, looking much more cheerful, conversing freely and not nearly so desponding.

Sleeps and eats well.

Draught and medicine discontinued.

May 4 - Has continued steadily to improve. He acknowledges that he has been greatly benefited here and that it has been the means of saving his life. Was today visited by his wife and son.

Is perfectly rational in his conversation and with regard to his discharge says that he will submit to the decision of the doctor.

Eats and sleeps well.

May 11 - Improvement proceeds unchecked. Calm and collected.

In good health.

June 3 - Not quite so well.

Is suffering at present from loss of appetite and debility and is slightly depressed.

This is no doubt due to his bad digestion. July - The depression mentioned in last report was only of short duration and more due to bodily ailment than to any mental failure.

He continued to improve and was discharged on the 17th.

Medications/Treatments: Chloral draughts, Quinine mixture