Castle Rushen Gaol surgeon's journal

Date(s): 1863-1890

Scope & Content: Spans the period up to the point of transfer to the new prison in Victoria Road. From 1863 to 1880 entries contain names and details of complaints, treatments and so on; thereafter entries are largely signatures of attendance. Mentions the surgeon's duties to judge on prisoner complaints about food, which are numerous but never upheld. There are also references to his responsibilities to assess and confirm fitness of children sentenced to a birching and to adults sentenced to hard labour. In several entries, permission is given for supplementary diets for patients, sometimes including tobacco and alcohol. Occasionally these are also made regarding debtors held in Castle Rushen (they would normally be expected to provision themselves, since they were not held under criminal jurisdiction). Includes references to prisoners being used as nurses and instructions for whitewashing cells with carbolic acid and limewash where there has been a death associated with vomiting and diarrhoea.

Administration / Biographical History: From November 1874, the Gaol surgeon was John Clague, noted physician and collector of Manx music (1842-1908)

Language: English

Extent: 1 volume

Item name: journal

Collection: Manuscript Archive

Level: ITEM

ID number: MS 02051

Retrieval number: MS 02051 B

Access conditions: No regulations or restrictions are implemented on this material. Advance notification of a research visit is advisable by emailing library@mnh.gov.im

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