University of Edinburgh Archive and Manuscript Collections

Scope and Contents

"This woman was admitted to CR and diagnosed as senility. History of meningitis at 2 - speech and gait affected, mentality of a child of 4, could not dress herself; in bed last two years, has had a stroke, incontinent and paralysed. Parents dead - mother senile before death, father was a farmer. Two surviving sisters, three others died young of croup, TB and meningitis. Home conditions good, harmonious."

Scope and Contents 'This old lady used to be a housekeeper, stole a sum of money and served a term of imprisonment. She is a bad spoken old thing and a disturber of the peace. She lives alone with a dog in a tumble down one roomed cottage with only a tiny bit of window and practically no furniture. [Male informant] has been trying to get her to move but she won't. Brother a waterwatcher, sister a housekeeper, keeps her in clothes. [Male informant] says she is a silly creature, puts stories about. Very...

Scope and Contents

"This old man, single, a retired shepherd, lives alone. Is forgetful and senile, cannot look after himself properly - woman from Milton goes to clean for him. Sister died recently. Dr confirms senilty. Housing miserable."

Scope and Contents

"This woman was admitted to Dr, diagnosed with senile melancholia. Parents dead, said to have been cousins. Nephew,the informant, seemed dull. The family has the reputation of being queer and secretive (PSW thought so too), none so outrageous as patient. home conditions said to be comfortable, big farm, probably only fairly clean. Dr - one sister keeps in the background, very retiring. The other sister is a companion - now keeps home. PC confirms - they are all queer, quiet spoken folk."

Scope and Contents

"This is a quiet old lady, "kind of feeble minded". Senile, lives alone, clean, can manage to look after herself. Dr says this woman is an old nuisance but all right. No PA."

Relatives in survey: 11.19

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"This man was in CR - diagnosis bronchial asthma and confusional state. He was a farmer, is now retired and living with his sister. Dr says this old senile is doing all right. siblings are normal, good housing conditions."

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"This old woman is senile, should be in C.R. but her son won't consent. The U.A.B are very worried about her. Lives alone with son. She talks all the time, says daft things. House fairly clean, son looks after it. Two rooms. Dr. confirms."

Son in study (15.49)

Scope and Contents

"P.A. (Rate-aided patient). Patient had three husbands, all of whom died. No known relatives. Until six weeks before admission she lived in a house with six cats. The house was in a terrible condition; she would not allow anything to be done in the house. Accused neighbours of stealing. Then went to poorhouse where she was quite content to begin with. About a week ago she became more restless, interfered with the other inmates."

Scope and Contents "This woman's husband, a retired farmer, died 10 days ago. She thought somebody tried to get into the house knowing she has a lot of money; has started laughing and talking a lot. Home passably clean. She just sits and does nothing, lives alone now. Nurse confirms that she has been queer for at least 5 years. Not certifiable. House dirty. Recently the minister took her some soup but she would not take it, saying she made better soup herself. Thinks the minister is trying to steal her...

Scope and Contents

"She has an adopted son. She lives in a hovel and in another century would have been called a witch. Dr. confirms - senile. Adopted son in the Navy, nice lad. Nurse confirms - this woman is suffering from senile decay. The nurse who looks after her is also senile. Big house, quite clean, harmonious. They do the housework themselves."