Griffith Edwards (4200)

Admission Details for Patient: Griffith Edwards (4200)

Gender: Male Age: 32
Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Sailor
Address: Amlwch, Anglesey

Date of Admission: June 26, 1890
Date of Discharge: March 23, 1891
Discharge Category: Recovered

Disease: Mania
Supposed Cause: Intemperance

Medical Certificate:
1. Sleeplessness, staring about him, refusing to eat, or answering when spoken to. Wild expression, spitting at me when looking at him. 2. Facts communicated by others. Was very violent, half killed his mother though always very affectionate, throwing the furniture and different articles out of the window. June 25th 1890. Griffith Gryffydh Jones, Amlwch.

Approximate duration of present attack: 5 days

Number of Previous Attacks: 0

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 2

Total Number of Admissions: 3

Relatives affected:

Epileptic: No

Suicidal: No

Dangerous: Yes

Clean Habit: -

Food Refusal: -

Sleep Habit: -

Destructive Habit: -

Disposition: A good sailor and of steady habits as far as known

Education:

Physical/Mental State at Examination: Health good. This patient is a sailor and returned from sea about a fortnight ago staying with his parents who are natives of Amlwch. Five days ago he was observed to become suddenly strange and depressed in conduct, refusing to speak to anyone and remaining indoors. On Tuesday morning he made a violent attack upon his mother while in bed and then threw all the furniture of the bedroom out to the street through the window. Was subsequently taken to the police cell and while there has been excited and disposed to be violent. Has been refusing his food.

Current Diagnosis: 29

Case Notes

1890 June 30 - Patient is a man of about 5 f.t 6 in., muscular and well made. Commencing baldness. Brown hair. Light blue eyes. Upon the day following admission was in a very confused state. Did not know where he was and said he had been taken in a balloon from Carnarvon to Amlwch etc.

Was quiet and easily managed.

Today he is rational enough but low spirited and dejected. Gives an intelligent account of himself up till a few days prior to admission but says that since then everything is a blank. Does not remember getting here or how long he has been here.

In good health, eating and sleeping well. July 7 - Rational but very depressed. 18 - Improving in spirits.

Works in Wards. Rational. Aug 14 - Has suddenly relapsed and on the 10th had to be secluded.

Appearance wild and threatening but has not shown violence.

Talks religion in a rhapsodical manner. Had some stones in his pocket today and calls them his 'pass' to leave.

Says he is 'saved'.

20 - Is becoming more rational but still deluded. Very quiet and subdued. Much the same as he was before attack and works in ward daily.

1891 Jan 4 - Since last entry patient has shown no symptoms of a relapse and now with the exception of a certain amount of depression in his manner, there is nothing to call for remark.

But his case is one that it would not do to discharge until he has been under observation for a lengthened period.

He is in good health and works daily.

Mar 10 - Since last entry Patient has been doing very well and may be now considered quite recovered and fit for discharge.

Has promised to abstain from drink in the future.

Medications/Treatments:

Additional Notes

A newspaper cutting entitled "The Result of a Spree" and subheaded "An insane son's attack on his

parents" - is attached to the case book. (No note of which newspaper or issue date).

Readmissions:

Griffith Edwards was readmitted on 11th May 1891 (no. 4306) just a few weeks after his discharge.

Medical Certificate reads: 1. I saw in the morning of May 9th 1891 and gave him a draught and saw him to bed. In a few minutes he came out to the street naked and shortly after came to my surgery and asked me what he was to do.

2. Facts communicated by Mary Jones (sister) of Salem St, Amlwch: Has been in Asylum before, could not keep him in the house, always talking about the Bible and saying no one about him lived up to it. He was discharged recovered on 18th August 1892.

Readmitted with Mania on 4th June 1895 (no. 4912). The Medical Certificate reads: Rambling speech, sleeplessness, says he will fight till the last drop of blood is in my body, assaulting the police with a stick when taken in custody.

William Hughes, Sergt. Police, Amlwch, states that the patient has not worked as usual for the last week, threatened to open the Sergeant with a sword if he could borrow one from the Coastguard, he would be willing to go afterwards.

Discharged recovered on 20th January 1896.