Admission Details for Patient: Maria O'Brien (2454)
Gender: Female Age: 24
Marital Status: Single Religion: Roman Catholic
Occupation: Domestic servant
Address: Manchester (admitted from Workhouse), Manchester
Date of Admission: May 26, 1875
Date of Discharge: November 1, 1875
Discharge Category: Relieved
Disease: Puerperal mania
Supposed Cause: Confinement
Medical Certificate:
She is under the impression that she is going to be hanged. Talks quite incoherently and tried to hang herself at the Railway Station Holyhead. By John Owen, Master of Workhouse: She tries to stifle herself - swallows buttons, stones, pins etc, tried to put herself on fire, bites herself etc etc. Owen Williams, Rhosygaer, Holyhead.
Approximate duration of present attack: 1 month
Number of Previous Attacks: 0
Number of Previous Admissions: 0
Number of Subsequent Admissions: 0
Total Number of Admissions: 1
Relatives affected:
Epileptic: No
Suicidal: Yes attempted
Dangerous: Yes slightly
Clean Habit: Yes
Food Refusal: No
Sleep Habit: Fair
Destructive Habit: Yes, tearing bedclothes
Disposition: Sober and industrious
Education: Fair
Physical/Mental State at Examination: Feeble health, middle sized, nervous. Fairly nourished having a healthy complexion. Tongue furred, appetite bad, bowels confined and abdomen distended. Heart sounds normal. On admission she was under the impression that she had been brought to gaol. Was incoherent in her language when replying to questions. On the whole silent and taciturn. She had been a domestic servant in Manchester when finding herself enceinte she left or was turned out of her situation and walked from thence to Holyhead, sought refuge in the Workhouse, and was delivered there three weeks ago. Her cousin being the child's father. Pupils equal. Blue irides. Mother died of consumption. Placed in No 4, sleeps in associated room. Was given a dose of Castor Oil.
Current Diagnosis: Postpartum disorder (F53.3)
Additional Diagnosis: 39
Case Notes
1875 May 27 - Was quiet during the night a Chloral draught having been given her.
This morning quite calm and free from excitement.
May 28 - This morning not so well, got excited and struck the attendant.
Was quiet during night.
No draught.
Tried to swallow a pin last evening and today pricked herself in the knee with a pin.
May 29 - Has an excitable appearance.
Complains of pain at the lower part of her abdomen, which is somewhat large. Aperient given.
Haust Chloral HS.
Takes food fairly.
30 - Quieter.
June 1 - Gradually improving. Was tried in No 3 where she does a little sewing.
June 8 - This evening her uncle from Ireland visited her which caused her to become extremely violent and excited although she was improving during the week.
Tried to injure herself by knocking her head against the wall and throwing herself down on the floor.
Was given Chloral and placed in single room with tick covering.
Weeping very much.
June 9 - Still very excited.
Going on her knees imploringly and grasping our hands. June 11 - Quieting down again. In No 4 ward clean in her habits and eating her food well. June 15 - Much improved. Transferred to Workroom.
June 20 - Quiet and free from excitement. Complains of pain in the back and of leucorrhoea.
Taking Quinine and Iron.
Eating badly, getting bread and milk and beef tea.
Very low and depressed.
June 27 - Just the same.
Introduced speculum, vagina and cervix uteri was tumid and congested with vaginal leucorrhoea.
Applied Dig.Nit. and Pil. Aloes with Myrrh .
Silent and depressed.
July 8 - Mental condition the same. Still complaining of pain in the back and discharge.
Quietly employed in Workroom.
Aug 8 - Gradually improving but is still very emotional, crying on the slightest excitement.
Quiet and well behaved, sometimes very affectionate and embracing the patients.
Writes a fairly sensible letter.
Uterine symptoms have disappeared.
Eats well but is somewhat restless at night requiring occasional Chloral draughts.
Medications/Treatments: Castor Oil, Haust Chloral HS, Quinine and Iron, Dig Nit in substance and Pil, Aloes w Myrrh, Single room with tick covering
Historical Records Search