Admission Details for Patient: Ann Beatrice Ward (511)
Gender: Female Age: 25
Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Daughter of late Chief Gunner in HM's Navy
Address: Carnarvon, Carnarvonshire
Date of Admission: July 9, 1890
Date of Discharge: April 16, 1891
Discharge Category: Relieved
Disease: Mania
Supposed Cause: Love disappointment
Medical Certificate:
1. (i) Delusions, incoherence of speech and manner. She stated and believes that she has given birth to three children. She also states that there is something in her head which tells her to throw herself through the window. (ii) Her father, Alfred Ward, states that she went out in her nightdress once at 3 o'clock in the morning and was found in the street adjoining. July 3rd 1890. John Williams of Castle Square, Carnarvon.
2. (i) Incoherence of speech. Delusions. Stating that she wanted to cut her throat and tried to burn herself with the candle. (ii) The servant maid stated that she tried to burn herself with the candle, one night holding her face over it and wanted to fling herself out through the window. July 3rd 1890. Edward Humphrey Williams of Turf Square, Carnarvon.
Approximate duration of present attack: 6 months
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, threatened
Dangerous: No
Clean Habit: Yes
Food Refusal: Yes
Sleep Habit: -
Destructive Habit: No
Disposition: A studious and in every way well conducted girl
Education: Very good
Physical/Mental State at Examination: Health moderate.
Current Diagnosis: Schizophrenia (F20.0)
Case Notes
1890 July 11 - Patient is a very slimly built girl of medium height. Dark complexion, eyes and hair. Since admission her condition has varied, being at one time quiet and another excited and fighting the nurses like a little Fury.
This morning could not make a phys. examination as she was in great fear of the same. She is in a state of semi dementia and full of delusions - but they all have a direct connection with the most important one, viz that she is engaged to a Mr. Williams, her Music Teacher, and that their marriage etc has been ordained in Heaven and that, although he has never proposed to her, she knows it thro' a particular hymn which she hears in church etc.
She is apparently very timorous and cannot as a rule be got to reply unless spoken sharply to.
16 - Has since allowed an examin. She is very thin but there is at present no marked organic disease noticeable.
Aug 21 - Very obstinate and determined. Will strike at once. Lazy and indolent and does not hold any intercourse with her fellow patients. Dreamy in manner and conversation and the same delusions are present.
Nov 11 - Has improved very much in her general health.
Had an interview with her father lately and abused the old man roundly and accused the nurses of all sorts of fancied slights and insults. A selfish and self-willed girl passionate in the extreme.
1891 Feb 15 - Little or no change unless she be quieter and less troublesome. Cross and irritable. Sits in front of the fire all day to the exclusion of others. Quite unfit for discharge.
Apr 16 - Her father has today come for her and transferred her to the Portsmouth Asylum and none here regrets the step he is taking.
Health good.
Medications/Treatments:
Additional Notes
A letter (from the patient) containing some pressed flower petals addressed to "My Dear Johnny L" and dated July 1890, reads as follows:
It seems very funny to write to you. I seem almost afraid somehow. However are you all getting on at church. Do you look over to my part of the country?
I see the chancel ever so much.
I don't know how you would feel or what you would do if you were here. Do you remember "Abide with me" when you came in at the end of the sermon and the text was "He sighed".
Something is the matter.
I seem to be in your hands.
Pa don't seem to be in a hurry to take me from here for what reason I don't know.
It must seem strange to you.
I feel inclined to cry very much.
I do cry.
Will you get this I wonder. The senior doctor has been here to overhaul my doings. He said something was all right. What he meant goodness knows. I see nothing quite right.
If I were only home again - its rather sad when you come to think of it, being in an asylum without knowing the reason for what I am here. "Thou fool", investigate the matter, the root is truth.
Christ before Pilate. "What is Truth?" TRUTH is the UNION OF TWO BODIES.
ANNIE would very much like a word.
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