Children of William and Lucy Binns

A POLICEMAN CHARGED WITH BURGLARY.

At the Salford Police Court, on Tuesday, James Buckley, a middle-aged man, who has been a police-constable in Salford during the last 18 or 19 years, was charged with breaking and entering the shop of Mr. W. Binns, draper, 235, Chapel-street, and stealing fourteen pairs of stockings from it.—Detective-sergeant Power said that at about twenty minutes past two on the morning of the 13th inst. he was on duty with Police-constable Wood, when he saw Buckley forcibly bend the iron bar which crossed the shop front of Mr. W. Binns, draper, 235, Chapel-street; afterwards take a shutter from the door-way, put his arm into the shop, and then place something in his pocket. He then replaced the shutter and walked away. The witness crossed the street to Buckley, and charged him with burglariously breaking into Mr. Binns' shop that morning, and also on the 6th instant. The prisoner's reply was, "For God's sake, don't; think of my wife and family; I will give you all the world if you look over it." The witness found four pairs of stockings in the prisoner's coat pocket, and ten other pairs in his house.—Detective-superintendent Lawton said that the police were prepared with two other cases of housebreaking against the prisoner.—Mr. W. Bennett, attorney, who appeared for the prisoner, said the case was very painful nature, more especially because his client had been in the police force during 18 or 19 years. For the last two years the prisoner had been labouring under mental disease, which might be some excuse for his conduct.—Sir J. I. Mantell remarked that the Bench had no power deal summarily with the case, which was a very serious one. The prisoner would be sent for trial at the assizes.

DRAPERY.—WANTED, well-educated YOUTH, to learn the trade.—Apply W. BINNS & SON, 235, Chapel-street, Salford.

Binns, Walter (at A. 1859–1860), the eldest son of William and Lucy Binns, of Salford (the latter the daughter of John and Mary King, of Rawtenstall), was born in Salford, First Month 31st, 1845. Walter was the sixth in a direct line of Quaker ancestry. The Quaker record starts with John Binns, born in 1663 in Keighley parish, Yorkshire, who joined the Society in 1683. John Binns, as well as his son Joseph, were ministers. Walter Binns received his education principally at Wigton, in Cumberland, and at Ackworth. The singular rectitude and quietness of his character bore witness to his ancestry and education. Though he resigned his membership, in taste and mode of thought he remained a Friends. Were this the place it might be interesting to trace the conflict and the influence of modern thought upon a mind whose primary instinct was love of truth, and sincerity. He read much. His business pursuits were sedentary, and this led to his hobby of cycling. As an authority on routes and rides, he was a frequent contributor to the Manchester City News. He never married. The sudden death of his father profoundly affected him, and the state of his health unfitted him for business. During the summer of 1893 a specialist doctor reported that he was suffering from cancer of the liver, and that his case was hopeless. He bore his illness with quiet resignation, and without complaint. His nurse said of him that he was the "most patient patient" she had ever attended. The end came on the twentieth of Ninth Month, 1893, when he had reached his forty-eighth year.

Member of the Society of Friends (birthright). Female. Age 32 years. Single. No occupation. Previous place of abode – Salford. Birthplace – Salford

History. Nothing noteworthy is stated about this patient's infancy & childhood. She had an average amount of intelligence, and was 'educated chiefly at day schools'. She has always been temperate and industrious.

The present attack, which is the first, has lasted – so it is stated – 6 or 7 days; cause is unknown. She at first appeared rather depressed in spirits, which her father thought was due to want of sufficient occupation. She showed much concern at living (as she said) so idle a life, & 'seemed to regret having no occupation which would bring in wages'. For several days before admission she refused food, but has made no other attempt to injure herself; she has not shown violence to others, but has said that she 'must kill her father & mother'. She has for many nights past had scarcely any sleep.              Her habits are clean & decorous.

   Her bodily health has been good until recently, but is now impaired from taking insufficient food.           She has not previously been in any asylum.

It is stated that "an uncle on the male side was insane".

She is not epileptic or paralytic; and is entered in the Statement as not suicidal.

State on admission.

When first seen, she was lying quietly in bed, with a dull almost vacant expression of face. She would not answer questions, nor say a word: once or twice she smiled, but without speaking. She keeps restlessly pulling her lips, and biting or chewing her hair. She would not take food voluntarily, but a good quantity of liquid food (milk & beef tea) has been administered without much difficulty (within the first six hours).

She is much emaciated, having had very little food for some days past. Very much of the subcutaneous fat has disappeared. Both legs are very severely bruised, and so is the right hip; no bruises elsewhere.

Expression of face dull & almost drop vacant. Hair dark brown. Eyes

Pupils equal, dilated. React normally.

Pulse 120m, regular, rather hard.

Heart's action tumultuous, impulse diffused.

Chest. Super- & sub clavicular hollows very marked.

R – 30.

She is menstruating, on admission.

Progress

A draught containing 20 grains of chloral was administered last night, after which she remained quite, & slept about 5 hours. She has talked a little to her nurses, saying she could not stay here because her father & mother could not afford to pay for her food. Most of her food given by hand today, but she took a little voluntarily.     Bowels freely moved.

Was quiet on the second night, but did not sleep much. Last night she slept 2 hours, & was troublesome afterwards, getting out of bed & trying to leave her room, saying her father & mother were _^^{being killed} outside. It is very difficult to get her to answer questions; when spoken to she lies quietly, with an impassive, stolid look on her face.   Bowels moved each day.   She is taking plenty of food, partly voluntarily.

Slept 5 hours last night. When visited this morning she would not speak till just at the end of the visit, when she suddenly screamed out "they want to kill me", after which she relapsed into silence.    Still attempts sometimes to get out of her room.

Remains in about the same condition. Is usually quiet but sometimes screams as if frightened, & says her father & mother are being killed. Is taking her food well; it is usually necessary to giver her one or two spoonfuls, but she then takes the spoon & feeds herself. Perspires very much.    Temperature 99°.

Lips dry. Patient led lies in a dull stupid condition, sometimes not unlike the appearance of a typhoid patient. P. 110.

Patient now lies quietly in bed, very seldom initiates any movement, except taking food & the like, and rarely speaks. The quality of the pulse is slightly improved, beats at 96 per minute: she takes abundance of food: temperature is normal or slightly elevated. On the whole she continues to hold her own.

During the last two days Patient has shown more energy. Though still refusing to be drawn into conversation she speaks more than formerly. Her appetite is now voracious she asking for the next meal almost immediately after the one just served her. Bowels are regular. The chloral was discontinued & she sleeps equally well without it.

Continues to sleep well without sedative at night. Bodily condition is improved & she has been able to get up for an hour or two for the last few days. Her expression and aspect generally are suggestive of excitement which is still however suppressed.

Miss Binns continues to improve, the physical however being faster than the mental: she is decidedly stouter, is able to be up during the greater part of the day and gets exercise in the open air for a short time. She will not answer questions properly her invariable reply being to request for food.

The physical improvement before noted continues. weight 7 st 5 lbs. Excitement is slightly more pronounced & is evidenced by rapid movements of body & head and restless movements of eyes. Her attention seems entirely occupied with food & she still refuses to be drawn into  conversation. She gets out almost the whole day now, and, though every stroke has to be dictated to her, she plays croquet.

Miss Binns now refuses to answer to her own name saying it is "M^rs Ferrand" at the same time calling the latter M^r Ferrand or her husband.

Has been more wilful lately, ordering those whom she does not care for (everyone who does not bring her food) out of the room. To day she has been removed from special charge and is now in the general day room.

Physical improvement continues but there is no favourable advance mentally. She refuses to remain in the day room with the other patients, she being very unsociable, and obstinate requiring to be dressed &c. She sits behind a table in a stiff attitude with head elevated and eyes watching every movement, especially nurses who are likely to bring food and when she does all these she details a list of usually two or three things she wishes to eat. Sleeps very satisfactorily at night.

Miss Binns' condition has undergone little or no change lately. She refuses to speak almost entirely even on the subject of food. Spends most of the day in the open air.

Citrate of caffein in gr 11/11 doses was ordered on the 21^st inst. It is to be taken three times a day. No change had taken place in her mental state previous to giving the caffein.

There is slight improvement, patient employs herself now in the way of needle work, the execution being however bad. Beyond this there is no change from her former obstinate condition

Any change for the better that may have resulted from the giving of citrate of caffein has now quite disappeared. There is now far less craving for food but beyond this Patients state remains unchanged. Amenorrhoea has existed since admission.

Since the date of last note Patient has spoken on very few occasions sitting most of the day staring before her into vacancy. When spoken to she appears to understand all said but never replies to questions and if asked to show her tongue will not do so or if one wishes to feel her pulse she obstinately withdraws her arm & will struggle if pressed to give it. Takes all food without feeding, dresses herself well & is attentive in all her habits.

Caffein has been stopped: effect seems to have been nil. The only change since the date of last note is that Patient replies to a few questions, in very few words but always to the point.

Miss Binns is now in very good bodily health, but her mental condition has not undergone corresponding improvement. She usually sits or stands staring vacantly before her, & when anyone offers to feel her pulse or to shake hands with her, she puts her hands obstinately behind her back. He occasionally has once or twice helped to dust & tidy the rooms.   Rarely speaks, & then only monosyllabic (or nearly so) answers to questions. Her appetite is good, but not so voracious as formerly.   Amenorrhoea persists.

There is no appreciable improvement in her mental condition, except in so far as she is more ready to help in the gallery-work, & to employ her time in sewing.

Has been reading the paper for some days past; very rarely speaks.

More restless & noisy for two or three nights past; today she has been excited, laughing & talking in a rambling way: said she does not know any of us, does not know when she came here, why she came, nor how long she has been here. Her replies to questions were sometimes irrelevant. She has given trouble with her food today, having to be fed by hand.

Still remains restless & excited, & noisy; requires constant watching to keep her from mischief. Tries to strike the nurses, &c. Fed by hand yesterday & today: took her tea herself. Heat hot. P – 100. Bowels regular.    Is taking the following mixture,

L Tinct. Digital. 3 1/IV

     Tinct. Hysocy. 3 1/VI

      Ag. ad    3 111/XII m.  3 tr t. d.s.

No improvement. Is in a condition approaching that of acute mania.

Has been kept in bed for the last four days, she is now rather quieter, though still needing constant attention. Has to be fed by hand. While so violent it was necessary to held her to keep her from striking herself & others, & in consequence her arms & legs are somewhat bruised. She will answer questions generally.

The condition of excitement is still slowly disappearing. She still talks incoherently.   Her appetite is again becoming inordinately large.

Is still much excited, but is able to answer questions more quietly & sometimes sensibly. Says she does not know any of us, that she is suffering from brain-fever, & that no nurse here is fit to look after her. Often claps her hands together, or drums on the window-shutter. Takes large quantities of food, but says she cannot get enough to eat. She perspires freely. There is some difficulty in getting her to take her medicine.    Pupils dilated.

No improvement. Often very restless at night.

Is rather less excited, & gets more sleep at nights.  Takes plenty of food, & complains that she cannot get enough.  Her pulse is compressible & weak, sometimes dicrotous; regular. Has not menstruated since admission _^^{she was menstruating when admitted}.   Weight. 8 ^st.

Rather quieter; sings snatches of songs, & dances about the room, clapping her hands.   Bowels regular.

Still complains that she cannot get enough food, & that she is ill-treated, both of which statements are contrary to the fact. Says she is going to die. She has fairly good & bad nights about alternately.

Very noisy & restless today. Says she is dying; rests her hear on the nurse's shoulder, & says she gets life by that means. Slept 6½ hours last night; no sleep the night before.    Pulse stronger then on 8^th; heart & lungs apparently sound, but she is restless while being examined.

Is a little quieter. No other change.   Is still taking the mixture of Digitalis & Hyoscyamus.

Still noisy & excited, clapping her hands, dancing, & singing. Amenorrhea persists.  Is taking her food well.   Often very noisy & troublesome at night, & tries to strip herself.

Is now taking 20 grains of Chloral at bedtime. Has been rather quieter today, but has commenced spitting about the room. Is mischievous & destructive unless closely Watched, & occasionally strikes.

Continues to take 20 grs each of chloral & bromide of potassium at bedtime, & is on the whole rather quieter, especially for the last 3 or 4 days. From the 5^th to the 7^th inclusive, she was menstruating, for the first time since admission. Her appetite is very good, but the morbid craving for food is less marked. Does not try to strip herself now.

Still noisy, troublesome & occasionally violent. Dirty in her habits, constantly spitting about the room. Is having rather better nights. Appetite still very good.

No improvement.

Is rather quieter & less dirty: often strikes anyone approaching her, but mischievously rather than violently. Cannot be got to employer herself in any way whatever. Has pulled out much of her hair during the past week. Sleeps about 5 or 6 hours every night. Draughts continued.

No change.

Remains as described a fortnight ago. Is constantly spitting about the room. Has not menstruated again.

Will not enter into conversation, nor do any work. Sometimes tries to strip herself, or to tear her things. Takes her food very well. She is not noisy by day or night; sleeps about six hours, taking 15 grains of chloral every night. Has lately pulled out a good deal of her hair.

Is again menstruating, for the second time since admission. The first time was 5^th to 7^th. I. 85, between six & seven weeks ago.

Is slightly improved. Has done a little sewing.

Has improved a little during the last month. Is quiet & gives no trouble. Takes her food well. Does not occupy her time in any way. Is much demented.

Is slightly improved, & has done some needlework lately; goes to the work-room each day. Is wishfull to be sent home.

No change since last entry. Still employs herself in the workroom but is very peculiar in her behaviour. Will just answer simple questions but will not converse.

Remains much the same. Is considerably demented.

No change.

Has improved since last entry. Converses now more rationally. Employs herself in various ways and is very anxious to be sent home. Is in good bodily health.

Improvement is maintained. Continues to employ herself.

Has lately given up going to the work room & seldom now employs herself in any way. Answers questions rationally and appears free from delusion.

No change. Seldom now employs herself in any way.

Is not so well. Has been very excited for last day or so. Will not keep her boots on and is continually attempting to undress herself. Is becoming very incoherent. Last night got little or no sleep and was constantly leaving her bed. Has been ordered to sleep in the sitting up room.

Has been very troublesome since last entry tears her clothes up and is most indecent in her behaviour constantly exposing herself and masturbates openly. Requires the constant attention of one of the attendants.

Is now rather better again. Is not so destructive but is very dull and stupid. Habits are cleaner.

Little or no change since last entry. Will seldom answer or take any notice when I speak to her. Does not employ herself in any way but spends most of the day looking out of the window and laughing to herself. Is in good bodily health.

Is becoming very excited and troublesome again and has commenced to destroy her clothes – gets little or no sleep at nights.

No improvement since last note. Her conversation is at times most disgusting. It is only with much difficulty that she can be made to keep her clothes on. Requires a chloral draught ever night otherwise she get no sleep and is so noisy that she prevents the others from sleeping.

Has considerably improved since last note. Is now quite quiet and fairly rational and employs herself again with needle & other work.

Continues quieter & more rational. Answers questions but can seldom be got to converse. Still employs herself in various ways.

No change since last note.

Continues quieter. Answers when spoken to but will not converse and does not appear to like being noticed. Employs herself doing needlework & and is in good bodily health.

Nothing further to report since last entry. Is still quiet and continues to employ herself.

No change.

No change. Continues quiet & well conducted.

No change.

Has now completely relapsed is as troublesome as she has ever been. Will keep no clothes on and is most dirty in her habits.

Has been much quieter & more rational again for the past three weeks and more regularly employs herself doing needlework

No change

Continues quieter & is now fairly rational. Left to day for Scarbro on leave of absence

Has been rather excited lately, but is still well enough to be at Scarbro'. Her general health continuing good.

No change. Is still at Scarbro'

Has relapsed and has been so excited & troublesome at Scarbro that she has been brought back to the Retreat.

Is now as troublesome as she has ever been will not keep her clothes on & has become very dirty in her habits She is talking & gesticulating the whole day long & is very mischievous. Her general health keeps fairly good.

Still very excited, destructive, dirty & troublesome.

Has much improved since last note. Is more quiet and rational again.

Left to day for Gainsbro' House Scarbro' She continues quieter and more rational.

Is still keeping better. Her general health is very good.

Is still at Scarbro and is keeping fairly well.

No mental change. Is keeping quieter.

Is still at Scarbro and is keeping fairly well.

Is still at Scarbro'. D^r Baker reports that her condition does not vary much. Her general health is good.

Has not been quite so well of late. Is becoming rather excited again. Is still at Scarbro'.

Returned from Scarbro to day. Seems to be breaking down again mentally. She will not now answer questions and always tries to get out of the way of people getting into her bed room during the day and sitting there alone if allowed to do so. She has become thinner but her appetite keeps good.

No change of importance to report since last entry. Is still very peculiar in her behaviour.

She is very unsociable, irritable & reserved. Keeps out of the way, hiding in her bedroom. Seldom speaks. Has done a little needlework lately. Very irrational in behaviour. Menstruation regular & natural. Appetite good Ordinary diet. No medicine. In good bodily health.

Irrational & foolish in behaviour. At times abusive & calling names "d-d fool, senseless idiot" etc. She has been very troublesome about taking food, but is improving. For the past three months she has not menstruated regularly. In good bodily health. Treatment the same.

Mentally she is unchanged. In good bodily health.

For some time past she has been much worse mentally. Excited, noisy, very dirty in her habits, erotic, & using disgusting language. She has frequently exposed herself indecently in the garden. She is very troublesome about taking food. Physically she is much run down. She has sulfonal gr x x x about every second night but this does not take much effect.

Since the last note she has been in the same excited state & her habits have been very dirty. She has been very troublesome. about taking food but otherwise as described above. This morning on getting up she is reported to have staggers & to have been unable to stand, she also complained of feeling unwell. Her temp: was 103.9 & pulse 110. Resp 22. On examination she has a w well marked mitral systolic murmur at apex & reduplication of second sound at base, probably of long standing. She has also moist sounds in both lungs at apices (commencing phthisis?) this evening her temp: is 104.8. Pulse 112. Resp 22. She was moved to a single room with fire in it & has special nurse for night & day. Mixture L Tinct Digitalis m xh. Sp Am Arom at 3ii syrup simpl. 3iv. Aqua [illegible medical expression]

She has varied little since last note, the mixture has been stopped on account of the slowing of the Heart's action. She is very troublesome about taking food, frequently throwing it over the nurse. The bowels have acted frequently & the stools were liquid. Her habits are very dirty. She is kept in bed with difficulty & will not keep the bed clothes over her. Her temperature has varied but has never been so high as on the first day. The pulse is very feeble, compressible & intermittent. The respirations have never been above 24. Special diet.

She is rapidly becoming more feeble. At times she has difficulty in swallowing & it is very difficult to get her to take nourishment. The temperature is normal. Pulse more feeble with frequent intermissions. She is very restless & throwing the clothes off the bed. She now frequently expresses a wish to die.

This morning she is decidedly worse, pulse more feeble, & respiration laboured & she is cyanosed. She was visited by her brother M^r Henry Binns this morning but did not know him. The difficulty in swallowing is much increased. Tongue dry & teeth & lips covered with [sores?, but it looks like sordes].

Since the last note she has rapidly changed. She lies quite helpless in bed with the knees drawn up. She is quite unconscious & the heart is failing fast. She died quietly at 2.13 pm.

Statement of the Cause of death:–

Emily Binns, aged 41 years dies at 2.13 pm on the 16^th day of December 1893 in the presence of myself & Nurse Kitty Pullan.

The cause of death being Morbus Cordis, Phthisis.

of 13 Ashburnham Rd, Tonbridge, Kent

Petitioner (sister) Lucy King Binns, of same address, to whom Notice of Death is to be sent. No medical attendant for years.

Medical certificates:–"She is incoherent & rambling in speech, and excited & restless in manner. Attempted to embrace me on my approaching the bed. At one time she refused to answer my questions, pointing to the opposite end of the room & saying that she saw some one there (a delusion) whose name she refused to tell me. By Lucy Binns of 13 Ashburnham Road, Tonbridge, a profession[al] Nurse. That she is beyond the controll of those _^^{who are} attending her. That she is constantly imagining that she sees persons & things which do not exist, that she is extremely restless at night, & often shouting out, & incessantly talking incoherently. Edward S. Cardell, 137 High St, Tonbridge 28^th April 1899. Restlessness & excitement in appearance & manner. After a friendly greeting would not speak for some time, putting her finger on her lips when asked question[s]. Replied to simple questions that God knew. Lucy K. Binns her sister, living in the same house informed me that Eliza Binns was certified in a similar attack ten years ago, recovered in two or three months had been "familiar" since. News of a brother's insanity distressed her & for last two days had been violent, & that day refused food, saying she had been told not to take it.["]

Fred: Neild, Belvedere House, Tunbridge Wells, 28^th April 1899.

Order signed by Arthur J Beeching J.P. for Kent. April 30: 1899.

Single. Age 41. Information given by Sister, who has been nursing for nineteen years

FAMILY HISTORY.

GRANDPARENTS. GPs lived to great age – Kings – very Healthy.

PARENTS. Mother – d. Valvular disease – maiden name King. Father died Heart disease suddenly

BROS 3, SISTERS 2. I sister died here. Walter – d. cancer – aet 49; Harry – now in Cheadle – abroad – does not write.

INTERMARRIAGES.

INSANITY. Bro; Sister, Pat. Uncle R^t. Pat. Aunt. Prestwich

EPILEPSY. Bro. Henry – supra –

ALCOHOLISM. None –

OTHER NEUROSES. —

PHTHISIS. None – except Emily in the Retreat

FAMILY PECULIARITIES. Sis

PREVIOUS HISTORY.

CHILDHOOD. Weakly, always a care

BODILY ILLNESSES. Subject to headaches. Has "heat spots". Inft Eczema – 6 yrs ago.

PREVIOUS ATTACKS. one – 9 yrs ago

CAUSES. love affair.

DURATION. 4 mos–.

WHERE TREATED. Colwyn Bay, by sister

RECOVERY. good recovery.

HISTORY OF PRESENT CONDITION.

FIRST SYMPTOMS.– – a few weeks – 14 days or so. Has been at work steadily until fortnight ago.

ANTECEDENT CIRCUMSTANCES. Money troubles. Anxiety about brother, insane _^^{June 1898}, who was executor under father's will. Has been buying silver, borrowing money, & many extravagance. Hid things – Gave £4.4.0 for a spaniel – Silver atr articles –

PHYSICAL CONDITION ON ADMISSION.

GENERAL CONDITION.

NUTRITION. Poor.

PULSE. 140 feeble.

THORAX.

HEART. Rapid & rather tumultuous in action: no murmur

LUNGS. Apparently normal, but breath sounds are feeble.

ABDOMEN.

URINE. S.G.1027, acid, no albumen nor sugar, slight deposit of a cloud of phosphates appears in boiling, dissolves

[first line obscured] & cannot answer the simplest questions. She is with difficulty kept in bed; she throws her arms aboutt in a seemingly purposeless way. She will not open her mouth or show her tongue when asked, but there is apparently general stomatitis: the gums are tender & bleed easily.

She is very restless & requires constant care to keep her in bed. She does not talk & resists having any thing done for her; will not open her mouth or show her tongue. She is got to take food only with difficulty but on the whole she gets down a sufficient quantity in liquid form. She sleeps very little. Pulse about 140 soft. Temp. M 98. E.99

She is slightly less restless: but will not speak. She continues resistive. She takes under pressure a sufficient amount of nourishment. She is still nursed in bed. Her back which was getting red apparently from friction owing to her restlessness is rather better since she is quieter. She sleeps a little now at night & occasionally in the day time. Temp on 8^th reach 100° at night do-day M 97.8, E. 97.6. Puls M 128 E. 130.

This morning the right parotid gland is swollen. Temp. 100.6°. Pulse rapid about 130. Taking food, but entailing a good deal of care & trouble on the part of the nurses: restless, especially during the night.

Parotid bubo has increased in size: it is tense on palpation: not fluctuation. Surface red: fomentation every 20 minutes. Pulse still small & quick.

I was called to see Miss Binns at 1.30 this morning, & found her breathing rapidly, while her pulse numbered about 140 beats per minute: she was very restless. The patient continued in this condition till she died at 4. a.m. The tem. the night before had fallen to 98.6, but the pulse had remained rapid. She die in the presence of Annie Whiting – nurse.

Apparent cause of death: Exhaustion from Acute Delirious Mania

Duration of disease of which patient died: About five weeks

Not attended by post mortem examination

a few superficial scratches on legs

No mechanical restraint applied within seven days of death