A Problem Female

Drunkenness was not confined to the male population. Catherine Luke was admitted on 13th

October 1890 age 35. Described as dangerous, she had taken a knife to her throat. Cause:

Drink. She had been a patient previously from August 1887 to March 1890.Her Brother John

Carroll had been admitted to the hospital in November 1887 and had died June 1888. Her

mother's sister had also died in the asylum. She was pregnant and a healthy baby boy was

born at 5 o'clock on 9th January 1891. It was decided to release her on trial in March 1891. A

letter from the husband, William Luke tells the rest of the story.

April 16 1891

Dear Sir,

As I shall not be able to come with my wife, Catherine Luke, I consider it

my duty to inform you how she has been going on. I gave her 34/- the first week

she came home and she had spent it all in 3 days, we had to do the best we could

then. But I have not given my wife wages since. She will take drink, do what I

will to prevent her.

She takes things out of the house and refuses to tell me what she has done with

them and becomes violent betimes so that you can see I am in a fix with her. She

gets terribly confused betimes, at others very depressed, crying and wishing she

was dead.

She complains of pains in her head and her heart. That was the reason I wrote to

you for an extension of time. I don't know if it is hereditary or not but her brother

died in the asylum in June 1888. I believe he was John Carroll. She cannot do her

housework as it should be done and refuses to let anyone else do it.

So you see that me and the six children are at the mercy of her when she chooses.

Of course, she is well enough some days but not long together.

I hope you will give her case your earnest consideration and oblige yours.

William Luke

No14 Back Haydock St., Bolton

She was returned to the hospital and later released having fully recovered.