Following the birth of her daughter Matilda Alice in early 1861, Matilda Kentleton, aged 31, was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with puerperal mania, a form of serious depression in women following childbirth. Initially treated at St. George's Hospital, Hyde Park Corner, she was subsequently transferred to the Bethlem Hospital at Southwark. The poor woman suffered delusions, was suicidal and was declared as being of "unsound mind".......but by December of 1861 she was discharged from hospital, recorded as "Cured". Matilda was re-united with her family, went on to have more children and lived to the ripe old age of 80 in 1909. See the transcript of her Bethlem medical record below for details of her illness. Bethlem Hospital - Medical Record Matilda Kentleton Age 31 Admitted 10th May 1861 Previous place of Abode; 73 Great Titchfield Street Occupation: Artificial Florist Married: 3 children: Age of youngest child: 5 months Whether first attack: Yes Duration of existing attack: 5 months Suicidal: Yes Dangeous to others: No Has the patient been of sober habits: Yes State of bodily health: Bad 1st Medical Certificate 1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself Her delusions that she is so very wicked that she ought not to live, and that she cannot care for her husband or children and thinks that it it would be better for herself, husband and children to be all dead together - that she does not and cannot care for anything or anybody. 2) Other facts (if any) indicating Insanity communicated to me by others Her husband states that she took a large dose of morphia (four pills at a time) with the intention of committing suicide and from her frequently refusing to take food. C.B. Brown, 38 Hill Street, Berkeley Square 2nd Medical Certificate 1) Facts indicating Insanity observed by myself While in St. George's Hospital under my care I considered her to be suffering from puerperal mania. She stated that her natural feelings for her husband and children were totally abolished and I understood that she had been tempted to destroy herself. 2) Other facts (if any) indicating Insanity communicated to me by others The facts stated by Dr. B. Brown in addition leave no doubt in my mind that she is of unsound mind. Robert Lee, 4 Saville Row Discharged: Cured 27 Dec. 1861 Left the Hospital: 30th Dec 1861 |