Item SH 850353 Chart - Bath Regulations, circa 1920

Summary

Chart - Bath Regulations, Framed, circa 1920. Printed paper, headed 'Baths. / Regulations for the Guidance of the Attendants', that is contained (though not mounted) within a wooden frame, painted cream, that was made to hang on a wall. Use in a psychiatric hospital in Victoria, Australia probably at a time between 1900 - 1940. Probably hung in the bathroom. There are fifteen regulations for the Attendants to follow when giving the patients their weekly bath. A chart of regulations numbered 1 to 15 for baths for patients in a mental hospital in Victoria. (e.g. Rule no.5: Not more than three patients are to be bathed in the same water, and when practicable not more than one.)

Physical Description

The paper is worn, stained and spotted. Liquid has been splashed onto it at some stage. The original frame had chipped paint, a wooden back that curved at the top with a hole drilled in it to allow it to be hung. The original notice that was to be hung in the frame no longer exists; the 'Regulations' with the frame are later, and printed on a smaller piece of paper. They have been stuck to a piece of good nineteenth century paper to strengthen them. On the backing sheet are some hand-written regulations of an earlier date. They are not complete as the paper has been trimmed so as to obscure some of the words. The words include: 'they will be punished for having either surplus or deficiency of stock if the same be not satisfactorily accounted for' and '...attendant in charge of a ward when the patients are handed over to the night attendant is responsible for the ward [report]. any attendant who has been in charge of the ward [illeg] during the same day will afford to the attendant who re[illeg]all information necessary for the proper compilation of the report.'

Significance

Example of regulations in psychiatric hospitals in Victoria Australia