§ MR. T. S. DUNCOMBEsaid, he rose to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if his attention has been directed to the Petition of Jesse Mumford, a labouring man, of Pershore (presented on the 31st of May), complaining of the illegality and outrage perpetrated upon his wife, in having been forcibly reconveyed after ten weeks' absence, and in defiance of the wishes of himself and her relatives, to the Lunatic Asylum of the county of Worcester, and what steps he has taken in consequence?
SIR GEORGE LEWISsaid, that some time ago a memorial had been sent to him 23 in reference to this case. He forwarded that memorial to the Commissioners in Lunacy for their Report. They investigated the case, and obtained the explanations of the Medical Officers of the Asylum in question. It appeared that the woman was a private patient, and not a criminal lunatic. The Commissioners in Lunacy were, however, of opinion that the treatment of the woman was proper, and that there was no ground for censure upon the parties concerned. It appeared that the woman was in a state of decided insanity, but had improved so much in health that she was permitted to go out upon trial for a limited time. At the end of that time an application was made to her to return, which she, however, disregarded. Means were then taken to remove her back to the asylum, when she was found in a most filthy and neglected state, and requiring the treatment which she was now receiving.