Catherine Edwards (4178)

Admission Details for Patient: Catherine Edwards (4178)

Gender: Female Age: 57
Marital Status: Widowed Religion: Established Church
Occupation: Lodging House keeper
Address: Barmouth, Merioneth

Date of Admission: April 10, 1890
Date of Discharge: September 19, 1890
Discharge Category: Recovered

Disease: Melancholia
Supposed Cause: Loss of business

Medical Certificate:
I. She has a morose look, and says that there is a legion of evil spirits in her heart, and perpetrated (sic) murdering her daughter, and doing bodily injury to her mother, if any of them attempt to come near her. II. Evan Owen, Barmouth, confirms what she told me, that she will murder her daughter if she can get a chance and that she has to be carefully watched, or she would get out of her room, and do injury either to herself or others. April 9th 1890. Hugh James Lloyd, LRCP, LFPS and LSA, Barmouth.

Approximate duration of present attack: 2 months

Number of Previous Attacks: 1

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 1

Total Number of Admissions: 2

Relatives affected: Cousins

Number of Previous Attacks: 1

Epileptic: No

Suicidal: Yes

Dangerous: Yes

Clean Habit: Yes

Food Refusal: No

Sleep Habit: Badly

Destructive Habit: No

Disposition: -

Education: Fair, reads and writes

Physical/Mental State at Examination: Health moderate. Patient keeps a Public House in Barmouth and has been a widow for 24 years. Had an attack 12 years ago which lasted 3 years. The cause of the present attack seems to have been a conviction which the Police brought against her for being drunk upon her own premises. Displays great aversion towards her mother and daughter but otherwise does not give much trouble.

Current Diagnosis: Severe Depressive Episode (F32.3)

Case Notes

1890 Apr 15 - Patient is a tall dark woman with a dejected appearance. Since her admission she has been orderly and sews daily in work room. Eats and sleeps fairly.

Her answers to most questions are clear and intelligent enough. She however states that she has a most unconquerable desire to kill her daughter, why she cannot tell. And there is no doubt but that she is suicidally inclined for she when asked if she was says "I wd be much better dead" etc.

26 - Persists that she must kill her daughter. She is likewise morose and suspicious of everyone around her.

May 6 - Sews daily and gives no trouble.

June 1 - There is obvious improvement and have sent her to kitchen to work.

27 - Doing well.

In better spirits and no delusions now noticeable. July 19 - Rational in every way.

In excellent health.

Aug 25 - Fit for discharge but says she wd rather stay another month to be quite sure and it would be as well if all patients thought similarly.

In good health and working diligently daily. Discharged September 19th 1890.

Medications/Treatments:

Additional Notes

Readmission:

31st March 1894 with Melancholia, cause unknown. Medical Certificate reads: A vacant expression, says that she must murder her daughter, says that she sees pieces of said daughter floating before her eyes, says that she has murdered her mother.

Evan Parry, Plasterer of Barmouth, and Evan Owen, Boatman, of Barmouth, confirm the above. Dr. D. Arthur Hughes, Glanaber, Barmouth.

Catherine was discharged recovered on 21st July the same year.