George Ward (6594)

Admission Details for Patient: George Ward (6594)

Gender: Male Age: 38
Marital Status: Single Religion: Church of England
Occupation: Militiaman
Address: Beaumaris, Anglesey

Date of Admission: June 16, 1905
Date of Discharge: July 26, 1905
Discharge Category: Recovered

Disease: Mania
Supposed Cause: Not known

Medical Certificate:
He is incoherent in his conversation and quite unable to take care of himself. Says he is General Booth, says he came into his cell last night, which is not true, when he only came at 12 am. today. He is unable to hold any rational conversation. By Sgt. Major Shantler: Found him roaming about in camp at 4 am. today shouting out that he was General Booth, praying on his hands and knees. Ordered in front of the Doctor, while waiting for the same he disappeared and was afterwards found dressed in his best uniform. Said he was going on duty to Officer's Mess which was not true. Any question given him, he failed to reply with any sense. Dr. E. R. Thomas, 40 Castle Street, Beaumaris.

Approximate duration of present attack: 4 days

Number of Previous Attacks:

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 0

Total Number of Admissions: 1

Relatives affected:

Epileptic: No

Suicidal: No

Dangerous: No

Clean Habit: -

Food Refusal: -

Sleep Habit: -

Destructive Habit: -

Disposition: Steady habits

Education: -

Physical/Mental State at Examination: Health moderate. This patient has been training at the Beaumaris Militia Camp and nothing is known about his previous history of any illness, he has behaved very well in camp until 4 days ago when the above symptoms manifested themselves.

Current Diagnosis: Acute transient psychosis (F23.9)

Case Notes

1905 June 23 - A healthy looking man of 38 yrs, ruddy, open air complexion, fair hair turning grey, a small moustache. In good condition and good bodily health. Blue irides, pupils equal and mobile. Eyes very restless.

He has had ague in India and has had typhoid fever in Pembroke Dock. Beyond a few "white patches" in the mouth, there is no evidence of Syphilis and he denies ever having had it. As the result of two examinations during the past week I have not noticed any symptoms of Insanity. He gives a clear account of himself, has a good memory and is astonished to hear of his peculiar behaviour in camp.

He says he did feel "light headed" and could not sleep for some days and took some Epsom Salts as a remedy.

The sun was very hot

He seems to be a man who has at times given way to drink and has been a "rolling stone". He tells a tale which does not seem very probable, that a gentleman whom he did not know took him in his motor car from Manchester to Cambridge. At Cambridge he, the patient, got drunk and forgot the name of the place where the gentleman was putting up.

He, the patient, therefore missed him and WALKED back to Manchester. Since admission here he has been rational, quiet and well conducted. Eats and sleeps well. July 7 - Appears quite rational and works regularly with the painters.

Discharged July 26th 1905.

Medications/Treatments:

Additional Notes

This patient was discharged to Bangor Workhouse.

He discharged himself from the Workhouse the following day.

Although not noted in the Case Book, it is possible that George Ward was a brother of Ann Beatrice Ward (No. 511) who was admitted as a private patient in 1890 suffering from Mania.

Besides having the same surname both patients had a military background.

Ann Beatrice was the daughter of 'late Chief Gunner' Alfred Ward stationed in Carnarvon.

She was 25 when admitted to Denbigh and George would have been 23.

However, while George's insanity seems to have been short-lived, Ann Beatrice's case notes suggest she made little improvement in Denbigh and she was transferred from there to Portsmouth Asylum in 1891.