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The Lunatic Asylum
Location: Gateshead
This was situated in one of the poorest parts of the village near to the "Ship Inn". It's situation described in a Gateshead General Board of Health Report of 1849 as "closely beset on either side by crowded and infected lodging houses". The group of dwellings became known as "Gowland Square" after the owner of the asylum, Jacob Gowland. The family had previously owned a similar establishment at Sheriff Hill.
Following the death of her husband, Mrs. Gowland continued to operate the asylum supported by her son and other members of her family until she succumbed along with many of the inmates during the ravages of the 1848 cholera epidemic.
Most of the buildings were demolished during the slum clearance programmes of the late 1930s, although local inhabitants recall one building situated in the centre of the courtyard and referred to locally as "the mortuary" because of its role as a depository for bodies from the asylum while awaiting internment. This building which was usually locked and shuttered was still standing up till about 1960. When in use the building was said to accommodate up to 65 inmates of both sexes. High walls surrounded the square which was entered by a large gate, usually kept locked. Those that were able to were taken to work on nearby farms.The asylum was severely censored in the 1844 commissioners report for its routine use of restraints. It was normal practice for keepers to chain new inmates to the floor on arrival ''to see what they would do ''.Such chains were present in all day rooms and apparently used on a daily basis to subdue inmates whilst carrying out punishment procedures. Diet was also considered to be completely inadequate consisting of a breakfast of plain bread and water or milk and an evening meal of pea soup or similar twice a week.
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