§ MR. BLAKEsaid, he now rose to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the regulation which he lately stated would be introduced into the Privy Council Rules relative to Lunatic Asylums, giving a preference for the office of Medical Superintendent to persons who had made themselves practically acquainted with the moral and medical treatment of insanity, will take immediate effect; and, whether such rule will define that the candidate must produce a certificate of having attended for a certain time at an institution for the treatment of the insane; and, whether, with a view of having such persons thoroughly qualified to take charge of patients afflicted with insanity, he will take into consideration the desirability of taking steps to give effect to the recommendation of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the state of the Lunatic Asylums in Ireland with regard to "clinical instruction," contained in their Report, pages 17 and 18?
LORD NAASreplied, that he must repeat the statement which he had made on a former occasion, that he thought it very desirable to obtain, if possible, the services, as medical superintendents of lunatic asylums, of persons who had devoted a 1220 considerable portion of their time and attention to the subject of mental disease. But it was very difficult to lay down any general rule on the subject. As regarded the second Question of the hon. Member, there was greater difficulty attendant upon giving such instruction as that suggested in lunatic asylums than in any other hospital. The matter, however, was well worthy of attention, and he would see what could be done.