§ 41. Sir W. BYLESasked approximately the amount of overcrowding now existing in asylums; by how many beds asylum accommodation has been reduced since the War began; is any further reduction now proceeding or in contemplation; and what is the present proportion of doctors to patients in the county asylums which remain available for the care and treatment of their original inmates?
§ Mr. BRACEThe amount of overcrowding referred to varies in the different asylums, but, expressed as an average, it may be stated to be 17 per cent., that is, there are 117 patients in wards which are normally intended for 100 patients. The number of beds by which the total accommodation of county and borough asylums in England and Wales has been reduced by the use of certain asylums as war hospitals is 15,750. No further reduction of accommodation is now proceeding or in contemplation. The present proportion of doctors to patients in the county and borough asylums in use as such is one to 390.