Patients and Inmates ~ what's the difference ?
 

Today, on the 1911 census, I found the husband and the 2 adult offspring of a gt gt aunt in institutions (gt gt aunt was OK, living in 2 rooms in Fulham and working as a Dressmaker).

They are in different institutions but all described as 'inmates'.
One is in 'The Epileptic Colony', Epsom, Surrey and trawling back through the images, the first couple of pages have the occupants listed as 'patients'.

Can anyone tell me what the difference might have been ?

I wouldn't have thought there was any difference Rachel, but someone else may know for sure. Just a guess.

If anyone with access to 1911 would like a look, click on this

http://www.findmypast.co.uk/CensusHo...ype=9&_zga_s=1

I think it's a bit like the differences between idiots, lunatics and imbeciles on the census - there was an official difference, but that wouldn't have to be the same as what people took the words to mean.

I would think an inmate was someone in an institution because they were either a permanent resident because of infirmity or illness or temporary because of temporary illness or because of financial destitution. An inmate might also be in a prison. In any case, they were probably there because someone else decided they should be.

A patient sounds like someone paying their own way for the care received be it temporary or permanent. They would also be able to discharge themselves from the place giving them care.

I would guess there's a huge cross over in the use of these terms.

Well put Merry. Yes hadn't thought of it that way.

Thank you Merry and Stella ~ it's certainly an interesting one


OK Marg

Dora Folwell ~ born 1888 (+/-1) in Battersea, London
she's in Epsom, Surrey

ref RG14PN2965 RD31 SD21 SN9999


Image 10 has 'Patients'

Images 1 to 10 list them as 'Patients' and their occupations are similar to the ones of the 'Inmates'

Ooooooo ~ could it be that the 'Patients' are all male ?




*begins to tut and stamp foot*

Yikes ~ image 17 has

Head Attendant on Male Lunatics

There used to be a large psychiatric hospital in Epsom called 'West Park' hospital. Also in Epsom was the Ewell Epileptic Colony - just Googled it.