Lunatic asylum records

[dippitybix]

Hi all, looking for some help in deciphering these excerpts from patient case notes of one of my relatives who was a patient in various asylums across Scotland. Many thanks

[Mabel Bagshawe]

First one

..[con]versation and manner [then some info about medication - possibly grs XXX means 30 grains, and old medical weight?  tds = three times per day, abbreviation of the Latin]  These doses are doubled if she shows signs of excitement. Works fairly well

[Mabel Bagshawe]

7th August 1903
Patient still delusional "imagines a child is in bed with her and talks to it"  Very homicidal (??) She eats & sleeps  well & at present does polishing in the wards

[Mabel Bagshawe]

20th February 1906
A most dangerous and impulsive woman. Very demented. Habits faulty. Behaves excellently at the weekly ball. Sometimes sews and sews well

[Kiltaglassan]

From Mabel's reply #1..... Is on Pot. Brom. (??)  [then some info about medication]

[Bee]

From Mabel's reply #1..... Is on Pot. Brom. (??)  [then some info about medication]

Possibly Potassium Bromide, a sedative

[dippitybix]

7th August 1903
Patient still delusional "imagines a child is in bed with her and talks to it"  Very homicidal (??) She eats & sleeps  well & at present does polishing in the wards

Thanks for your help. I know she had an illegitimate child and soon found herself admitted to the asylum a year or two after.
In the notes it also states "Patient is subject to occasional accountable desires to draw blood. She suddenly says Blood I want blood i'll have"

[dippitybix]

20th February 1906
A most dangerous and impulsive woman. Very demented. Habits faulty. Behaves excellently at the weekly ball. Sometimes sews and sews well

Interesting that she behaves well at the weekly ball. I know from her other records they talk about her being on the stage. Her father was a singer/dancer/performer in the music halls. She was also a milliner.

[shanreagh]

7th August 1903
Patient still delusional "imagines a child is in bed with her and talks to it"  Very homicidal (??) She eats & sleeps  well & at present does polishing in the wards

Thanks for your help. I know she had an illegitimate child and soon found herself admitted to the asylum a year or two after.
In the notes it also states "Patient is subject to occasional accountable desires to draw blood. She suddenly says Blood I want blood i'll have"

Poor lady may have had a poorly diagnosed case of postpartum psychosis.   The stress of illegitimacy would have had an excacerbating effect I would think. 

'Postpartum psychosis is a serious mental illness that can occur after childbirth. It's a psychiatric emergency that requires immediate medical attention.
Symptoms
Hallucinations
Delusions
Manic mood
Depressive mood
Confusion
Disorganized thinking
Extreme mood swings
Inappropriate behavior
Catatonia (stopping speaking)

and here from the Royal College of physicians
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01toh/