We are glad to record that the Ministry of Health
has appointed a small committee to inquire into the charges against our pauper asylums- brought by Dr. Lomax in his book The Experiences of an Asylum Doctor. They are to have the right to hear evidence in private, and are to make recommendations at to any medical and administrative reforms which may be possible within the existing Lunacy Laws. Our readers may remember that the appointment of some such committee was strongly urged in these columns at the time of the publication of Dr. Lomax's book. He painted in dark colours the terrible effects upon the milder cases of the present system of solitude or alternatively of association with hopeless end violent cases, and of the cruelty involved in the practice of drastio drugging, combined with under-feeding. Ho had observed these things in the- two asylums, where he worked as locum fenenet. It seems a pity, however, in view of Dr. Lomax's specific suggestions, that no woman has been appointed to serve on .the committee of inquiry.
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