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From: Fiona Poulton
Bracebridge Asylum Admissions
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This was taken from the case books at the asylum,
Register of admissions 2/2/1 9th August 1852 to 27th April 1858

Ann Bryan entry No. 72,
In 1852 admitted from Gate Helmsley (Yorkshire) of Louth Union by John Fytche and
G. J. Heneage with Mania bodily condition = thin and weakly disturbance of
the uterine function date of discharge 3 May 1875 religion Primitive Methodist

admission details of transfer
To the relieving officer or officers of the Louth union in the County of Lincoln 
and to all others whom it may concern  We the undersigned being the committee of 
visitors of the Lincolnshire County Asylum for pauper lunatics situated at 
Bracebridge near Lincoln Hereby require and direct you pursuant to the powers 
vested in us by the statute 8 & 9 Vict. Cap12C sec.54 to remove Ann Sargent, 
Ann Bryan and Charles Rennison, pauper lunatics chargeable to your union from the 
licenced house at Gate Helmsley in the County of York where they are now confined 
to the said County asylum at Bracebridge within fourteen days of the date hereof: 
Given under our hands and seals this 31st Day of August 1852

date of discharge 3 May 1875 (admitted 2 Sep 1852) Ann Bryan to Louth union


NOTE to me: If this is Ann then she must have been admitted originally to
the Yorkshire asylum before Bracebridge was available, this would account
for her missing from earlier, do we need to know more about Bracebridge
Heath opening, no, it is clear from Guardian minutes that “lunatics” were
sent where they could until a vacancy became available at LCS

from Bracebridge asylum "Case book"
 page 17
Ann Bryan No. 72
(possibly continued from) Vol. IV fol 190
1864 
June 25th
In fair bodily health, the bronchocele is stationary, works at her needle in the kitchen.
Sep.25th unaltered
Oct 25th  The same
1865 
March 25th the same
June 25th In her usual state of mind and body
sep. 25th  The same
Dec. The same
1866 
March 21 The same
June 29th The same
Sep. 27 The same
DEc 31 The same
1867 
March 27 The same
July 1 The same
Sep 15 The same
Dec 20 The same
1868 
April 1 The same
July 1 The same
Sep 1 The same
Dec 10 The same
1869 
April 9 Little change
July 1 Usually works in kitchen paring potatoes, brocheocele not enlarged; 
at times attempts violence, but on the whole not usual changed
Oct 1 The same

LCA Case book 1870 -
Folio 2
Ann Bryan continued from case book 10 folio 72
Form of insanity - Dementia
Age unknown
5Ft. 11/2ins
Weight 146 3/4 lbs.
Jan 15th 1870
In good bodily health; the tumour on her neck much the same: often disposed to be violent.
April 4th
Much the same seldom speaks; works a little
June 4th.
Continues silent & irritable often assaults her fellow patients & nurses; does little work
Nov 26th.
The same; demented; speaks but little, even in reply to questions and then
incoherently; goitre slowly increasing. 
Dec 6th. Unchanged since last note.

1871 March 13th.
Remans silent, irritable and often violent
June 28th.
No change- September- No change, successfully vaccinated since last
note - December 31st. No change
1872 
March 31st. No change 
June 30th No change
September 30th No change 
December 31st No change
1873 
March 31st. No change goitre stationary
June 30th No change 
September 30th No change
December 31st No change mentally; bodily health feeble and very pale - had
an epileptic fit early in the morning whilst in her bed, since last note
which is a new feature in her case, this occurring November 25th. 
1874
March 31st. Mentally usually very quiet, and harmless; but if in anyway interfered 
with she becomes suddenly excited and violent- or if she sees any patient being 
removed in consequence of excitement, she will often takes the part of the patient, 
acts then violently on the nurses. Bodily health weakly, looks pale and rather thin. 
Sits idly in the ward doing nothing - has had one fit since last note - bread and 
cheese and beer for lunch. 
June 30th. No change from the last note 
September 30th. Has had two fits since the last note and appears thinner and pale; 
Rx ferri. Strychn. Citr:??quatre die sumart (qds) 
December 31st. Mentally: very quiet and harmless - has had one fit since the last 
note and they always occur at night. Bodily health improved 
1875 
March 31st. Mentally in all respects the same, no more fits to be recorded 
April 29th. Quiet, harmless and tractable - incapable of any improvement 
Discharged to care of the committee of visitors, relieved 
Discharged as harmless and incurable 
May 3rd. 1875 weight 7St. 81/4 lbs.

(Appears in Louth Workhouse creed register February 23rd 1876 Ann Bryan of Louth - Church - no informant named)

Case book
loose paper in case book Aug 11th 1852 to Nov 2nd 1853
Ann Bryan aged 31, married Mrs. 3 children - Insane but has been ailing some 
time previously - one of her sisters supposedly to have been insane - father 
was of melancholia in character & though in manner - was very violent "? in 
her senses & conscious - before being ill was good tempered & did her duty to 
her children & husband - for 6 months previous to this has been confined
her rest much disturbed - complained frquently of severe pain in her
head when in family way with her 2nd child complained greatly of pain in
her liver and anterior part of her abdomen suffers much with menstruation.
folio 70
Ann Bryan age 32 admitted Sep 2nd 1852 from the Gate Helmsley retreat 
Her father was a melancholic turn of mind and strange and eccentric in his 
manner one sister is supposed to have been insane.  Her natural disposition 
was good and intellect clear; always suffered much with the period of 
menstruation, but otherwise enjoyed good health.  Married a labouring man, and
has three children. 
For 6 months previous to her mental disarrangment, which is now of 17 months 
duration, complained frequently of headaches and had little rest at night.  Her 
manner became strange her domestic affections blunted and household duties 
neglected; at times she was very violent both in her language and behaviour; of 
middle stature, dark hair and eyes, pallid unhealthy complexion, dull and heavy,
but at times angry expression cranium well-shaped pupil natural - pulse 76
small and weak tongue flabby, broad, indented and furred; presents sensation of 
faintness accompanied by clammy perspirations appetite good; bowels open daily 
In mental state nervous, excitable, incoherent and dull comprehension, answers 
questions only after frequent repetition; Bronchocele the size of an orange.


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*** Last revised: 15-July-2005 ***