Mary Ellis (2477)

Admission Details for Patient: Mary Ellis (2477)

Gender: Female Age: 22
Marital Status: Single Religion: Wesleyan Methodist
Occupation: Domestic servant
Address: Dinas Mawddwy, Merioneth

Date of Admission: July 6, 1875
Date of Discharge: November 23, 1875
Discharge Category: Recovered

Disease: Acute mania
Supposed Cause: Heredity and disappointment in marriage

Medical Certificate:
Having been called in on the 28th of June last I found her so wild that it was necessary to confine her in a straight jacket and previous to that she had expressed at various times her determination of drowning herself and also of doing an injury to her relations or attendants. She quotes scripture almost constantly and is foolish and unconnected in her speech. By others: The facts communicated of the desire to drown herself or do an injury to herself or attendants. Daniel Ferguson, Cemmes, Montgomeryshire.

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Approximate duration of present attack: 9 months

Number of Previous Attacks: 0

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 1

Total Number of Admissions: 2

Relatives affected: Sister idiotic and parents eccentric

Epileptic: No

Suicidal: Yes, threatened to drown herself

Dangerous: Yes

Clean Habit: Yes

Food Refusal: Sometimes

Sleep Habit: Bad

Destructive Habit: No

Disposition: Good and industrious

Education: Bad

Physical/Mental State at Examination: In good health. Well nourished, strong and muscular, very large mammae. Tongue clean, bowels rather costive, appetite fair. Heart's impulse sound normal. Respiratory system normal on auscultation and percussion. Very quiet on admission and was brought here without any trouble. No history of seduction. Has been at home since last November and is subject to attacks of great excitement requiring last week the application of the straight jacket. Attacked last November by some chest affection of which there is now no trace. There is loss of identity of persons and she is rather incoherent, though she replies to some questions sensibly. First said that I was a Mr James and then that I was Jesus Christ. That she had seen Mary Parry's face before. Considers some time before answering a question. Says that her condition is the result of great anxiety of mind concerning those who cross the river of death. Placed in No 4 Ward to sleep in associated room. Irides light hazel in colour, pupils dilated but equal. Ordered a draught of Chloral.

Current Diagnosis: Schizophrenia (F20.1)

Case Notes

1875 July 7 - Was placed in No 4 associated room and given a draught but soon got to be very restless. Would not remain in bed and walked about the room.

Removed to single room No 6.

July 8 - Was quiet last night and free from excitement. No draught.

(Daily notes to 12 July indicate no change).

July 19 - Quiet and good tempered.

Will not do much work, lazy and fidgety. Silly in her language.

Eating and sleeping well.

Aug 17 - Just the same.

Is not likely to be any better than what she is at present.

Has not exhibited any suicidal or violent tendencies since she has been in the asylum.

Medications/Treatments: Straight jacket, Chloral draught at night

Additional Notes

Readmission::

1st September 1876 (no. 2604). Admitted from Dolgelley Workhouse. Medical Certificate reads: She talks incoherently. She is labouring under delusions and in particular religious delusions, she preaches to those around her.

Her attendant Elizabeth Evans - She has threatened to commit suicide, she is preaching all night and so disturbs all the inmates of the house.

Diagnosed ‘mania with imbecility’ Mary was transferred to the 'Chronic Book' in 1895 and remained in hospital until her death on 14th May 1920.