Craig Dunain was constructed on in an idyllic rural landscape overlooking the Caledonian Canal, after a long campaign. It was emblematic of the Victorians’ attitudes to notions like mental health, wellbeing, and improvement. The citizenry of Inverness would have been impressed by the grand bay-windowed sandstone building being built, and proud that it represented their philanthropy whilst, in equal measure, pitying the pour souls that became its inmates. For over a century, the sight of the building – Craig Dunain Hospital – brought hope and a sense of fear in equal measures as it was built as a “lunatic asylum”.
For Donald Donalson it was a brief and dismal experience. The hospital’s ‘Register of Lunatics’ states that his bodily condition was “insecure”, his disease was “paralysis” and his form of mental disorder was “dementia”. He died just a few months later of what were described as “pecuniary losses”. Modern clinicians have speculated that Donald might well have been suffering from syphilis might not have been a major surprise.” Donald’s case notes are stored in the NHS Highland Archive within the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness, and are typical of those of many of Craig Dunain’s earliest inmates in that they reflect only a limited understanding of mental illnesses.
Donald’s notes read: Some years ago it is stated he was treated for delirium tremens and that pecuniary difficulties from the loss of his vessel brought on the present attack of insanity which is stated as having been characterised by violence, destruction of furniture and very dirty habits.” The notes state that Donald suffered from general paralysis which particularly affected the limbs. It was also difficult, if not impossible, to ascertain what he was speaking about. After his admission, Donald suffered frequently from:
hemiplegic attacks of the right side. He was extremely restless, rolled his head from side to side, shouted at the top of his voice for days and assumed an aspect of perfect terror when approached. The paralysis increased to such an extent to render the patient perfectly helpless and to deprive him of the power of articulating.” It has been suggested that there two main possibilities: an unremitting chronic mental illness or a progressive neurological disorder. It sounds most like tabes dorsalis and GPI (general paralysis of the insane). It would be instructive to know if his wife ever had symptoms.
Craig Dunain was opened as the Northern Counties District Lunatic Asylum, with accommodation for 250-300 patients, and was the third district asylum to be opened in Scotland. By 1880, it had 360 inmates, and was described as “greatly overcrowded.” The Asylum was extended over the years and by the start of the World War II housed 852 patients; in 1964 there were almost 1,100. Despite this, and the sometimes-limited knowledge around mental illness at the time, it offered a glimmer of hope for many people at the time. |
About the Northern
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The treatment of the mentally ill before asylums was truly shocking. So, if you were poor, you were very much better off in an asylum. They offered a degree of care – you were fed, you were warm and you were given something to do, such as work on the farm or in the laundry.
Victorians had a limited misunderstanding of mental illness, but even today there many aspects that remain unknown. There is still a lack of knowledge about what causes many of the major mental illnesses. The earliest records for the Asylum show a bewildering array of seemingly inconsequential reasons for admission: disappointment in marriage; excitement from anticipated marriage; losing a Highland Games competition; intemperance; greed; attendance on religious meetings and sleeping exposed to the sun are all cited as suspected causes of insanity. |
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Equally astonishing, however, were some of the treatments: beer, wine, brandy, opium and creosote were all prescribed to some of the early patients by doctors. None of which would have helped the patients deal with mental disorders. Despite these unusual treatments, the staff and the trustees exhibited a typically Victorian paternalism, and believed that they were doing the best for patients, ensuring that they were in a safe place where they were clothed, fed, and looked after.
The Victorians had mixed attitudes to mental health. On the one hand they mandated the provision of asylums so that those who were ill (and they recognised it as at illness which might be cured or alleviated) were no longer detained in prisons or the workhouse. On the other hand, they considered them ‘‘inconvenient people’, using terms like lunatic or imbecile (terms used in official documents such as the Census at this time). District Asylums like Craig Dunain were established as part of the Victorian social improvement movement, one which Charles Fraser Mackintosh actively and passionately believed in.
The Victorians had mixed attitudes to mental health. On the one hand they mandated the provision of asylums so that those who were ill (and they recognised it as at illness which might be cured or alleviated) were no longer detained in prisons or the workhouse. On the other hand, they considered them ‘‘inconvenient people’, using terms like lunatic or imbecile (terms used in official documents such as the Census at this time). District Asylums like Craig Dunain were established as part of the Victorian social improvement movement, one which Charles Fraser Mackintosh actively and passionately believed in.
Faces from asylums
In 2017, Nicola Branson, from Wellingborough, meticulously colourized Victorian photographs of patients ("inmates") in various English asylums. These offer powerful testimony about life in Victorian asylums and remind us of Donald's story.
I chose these images originally after reading up about the history of how people were treated during the Victorian times” |
Copyright: Nicola Branson & MediaDrum
Discovery point
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Inverness District Asylum records are part of the Highland Health Board collection held at the Highland Archive Centre in Inverness. This comprehensive set of records provides details on staff and patients as well as the history and development of Inverness District Asylum, also known as Craig Dunain. The entire collection spans the years 1849-2002. Warrants date from 1864-1984, Patient Registers 1864-1995, Case Notes 18645-1957, and Staff Registers 1876-1983. Click below to go to High Life Highland's explanation of the archives.
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