Amy Clara Elizabeth Enock (1893-1975)

At some point in the 1920s, Amy's mental health began to detriorate following an apparent failed love affair.

In a letter to her cousin Brian Wilson, Madge stated, "He had the same fear that he might have to help support Amy, as she had become very strange in her ways and since having an unhappy love affair, and she could not keep her jobs. I realise now, though I did not at the time, (being young and very inexperienced) that Amy was even then going out of her mind. Bob said that Amy had better be sent to a job so far away, that she wouldn't come back again, and he and Aunt Annie, (who was living with us just then) arranged she should go to Australia. Amy protested all the time, that she wouldn't, but Aunt Annie collected her things, and packed them, and took her off to London and got her on the boat after a struggle."

On the 1st, January, 1925, Amy set sail on 'Themistocles' to begin her new life in Australia.

(Above) 'Themistocles'.

The family had arranged for Amy to lodge with Mrs. Edith Audley Smith, the sister of Amy's uncle Theodore Davis. Letters indicate that Amy had been admitted to a psychiatric hospital within 21 months of arriving in Australia.

Amy was admitted to three different psychiatric clinics during her life:

Rydalmere Hospital: 1926/1933-1956
Broughton Hall: 23rd June – 16th December 1931
Stockton Hospital: 1956-1968

Timeline

1926

"I really have had a very trying six months and the beginning of this month was as bad as Amy."

"On Wednesday Mrs Mojenie rang me up to say she was having a dreadful time with her."

"She would not go to the doctor on Monday but went on Tuesday. He thought her much improved, he discharged her and told her she could go where she liked."

"Mrs M. told her she could not keep her there any longer as she did not feel able. (Amy undermined all the help she had so that she could not keep Amy) also she had difficulty getting her money 14/- a week and Amy has such a huge appetite that it did not pay her anyway. Amy was abusive."

"Amy acted much as she did when she was leaving England with Annie. She packed her suitcase and then told Mrs M. she was not able to carry it to the station. Mrs M said she would carry it for her. At the station, as soon as Amy saw the train come in she picked up her suitcase, ran up the steps and back to the house!! This was in the morning; Amy went and made her bed again. Mrs M was about powerless to do anything but her sister in law came along and she rang up the doctors at Rydelmere and he ? ? that Amy should be sent back there. When she was told she just whistled and said "that's that!""

"I think now she will be kept there for good but we shall hear soon I suppose." - A letter from Edith Audley Smith to Ted and Lillie Davis - November 1926.

1931

Broughton Hall: 23rd June 1931 – 16th December 1931 (excerpts from medical reports).

Diagnosis: Paraphrenia [a mental disorder characterized by an organized system of paranoid delusions with or without hallucinations and without deterioration of intellect or personality.]

Resume of mental state: rather foolish and irresponsible in manner, expansive and somewhat elated, self satisfied. Has ideas of reference, is suspicious of the actions of others, evasive concerning her family and personal history, becoming abusive when questioned. Has delusions of control and influence by hypnotism. At times becomes emotional, tearful and turning face to wall refusing to reply. Rather irrelevant and rambling in conversation and some acceleration of ideation.

History of present illness: Has been feeling weak with pain in back and head since Xmas but continued to work in spite of this. 2/52 ago she developed influenza and epistaxis. Was also worried because a girl with whom she worked with exerted a strange influence over her “in a subtle kind of way”. This girl had hypnotic powers and could take away “your thoughts and mind” and when talking to her one night she felt something “go pop” in her head and her brain turned over and she could not think clearly or remember things and had all sorts of strange ideas such as that the world was coming to an end and she was left out of it. Her life has gone wrong since she first associated with this girl. She is very plucky and bright and making a great fight against her troubles. As a result of all her difficulties she has been sleeping badly and feels exhausted. The influenza left her slightly deaf but she has recovered from this. She seems to be losing her self-control and people are beginning to notice this and talk about her and make gestures indicative of amused contempt. She has always been regarded as extremely capable but has been stepping back during the past few months. She was in R.P.U.H. for 4 days and was removed from there because of depression and threats suicide. She is now feeling much stronger, walks better and worries less. Her main trouble is that she cannot live fully as she should because of the influences which are used to control her. She uses the bible a great deal to help her in the solution of her problems. She thinks that she is a seer and gifted with second sight and people have often wondered at her powers. She has lost grip of things and her special abilities because of this hypnotic influence which seems to be all around her. She should have fought evil with good but instead of this she allowed evil to overcome her. She is afraid that she will lose her individuality her because of the rules and regulations. Has not worked for past 3/52 but before that has only had casual employment for 2 years. Has had a hard struggle to make ends meet lately and has spent a great deal of time as the hostel in Moore Park. Has been successful in her positions and always well liked.

Personal history: eldest in family. Born in England. Healthy infancy. Measles and whopping cough in childhood. Happy home life. School 6 to 15. Good scholar, liked school, reached 4th class. On leaving school began to work as domestic and since then has held various positions including cook, housekeeper, nurse, and teacher of music, grammar etc. has been in Australia for over 5 years. Has had to work very hard out here and has a poor opinion of Australia and Australians. Refuses to give any details of her past life because she is afraid that advantage may be taken of her confidences and that she may lose money by it. Is afraid that she will be “pumped” and their influence exerted on her to continue her actions. Says there are many unhappinesses in her past life and she is trying to forget them all. Admits some domestic difficulties with other members of the family. Came to Australia originally on doctors’ advice because of deafness. Poor social adjustment, has few interests.

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Amy's letter to Dr. Macgeorge of Broughton Hospital

‘Xmas time 1931

Dr. Macgeorge

Dear Sir,

As a thank you for all you have done for me. I would like to put a few suggestions for the betterment of the institution and for the comfort and uplift of the patients. I am not sure whether this is my duty or not, but I can see many things that could and should be done for the better running of the institution and more especially for the health and comfort of the patients and inmates. These are suggestions I know you would carry out if you had the power – it is unfortunate that the power at the head of affairs is such a “rotten” power! I mean if dearness, and honesty, and all charitableness counted most, then things would go ahead for the betterment of the race and individual! (Please read this through when in a quiet mood and feeling an intense love and feeling for the patients)

1) Instead of white bread which has most of the most nourishing portion of the wheat “refined” sifted out of it, to accept wholemeal bread 100% wheat – as the staple and everyday food, then, automatically, bowels would act freely and naturally, headaches, soreness of head, ‘bands’ on or in head, discontent, and irritability would evaporate in a few days, because straining to go to the lavatory, overstrains and enlarges ? the nerves of the head, then a dose of salts gives quick accelerated action of bowels and consequently gives another upheaval and reactive “let-down” to the nervous system. Again the wheat (whole) has all the elements made and chosen by God for the making of the right quality and quantity of blood for the human body and is incidentally building up the waste tissues, creating a better blood circulation because blood is being properly fed with right quantities of salts, and minerals etc, as apportioned by God, who never faltered or made a mistake in the quantities of salts, juices, etc – His mind being perfect; consequently, everything He made being perfect; - the absence of good evaluation being the root cause of most of the cases here, or a lop-sided circulation, or too much of one corpuscle and not enough of another etc, which condition is brought on by ignorance of the laws of God – “thou shalt not” – causing mental anguish, fear, lassitude, pain, which states are all contrary to the wish and law of Christ, which is fundamentally abundant life, rich, full and clear - “though shalt” – brought about by the Holy Spirit of Christ working within us in love and service for the King of Kings: not falling with the ‘bands’ or working together with the ‘hands’ of the Kings of the earth, particularly a few, who have a very full power just now over those who are not born again of the spirit – particularly over those working in this area (God save them and let them know the meaning of His presence).

(Any homes with any sort of pretence, knowledge or education do this already, so that on coming to a hospital to be made better, one naturally thinks on first impressions that one is going to be made worse, from the very way things are done. This is both prejudicial to you all who are responsible for running the hospital and to the outlook of the patient. How can we put confidence in the treatment when we find it is what it is - generally speaking – apart from the rest and outdoor life which is great – very much appreciated by all).

2) That washed raisins and prunes, raw fruit, nuts, lemon juice, glass of milk, honey and lettuce or uncooked vegetable be a daily dietary.
3) That love and mercy should and shall be the predominating principle in the office and institution.
4) That no bully or spiritualist may be allowed to enter the building that poor souls, weak in body and mind, who are already doing the best they can to get as well as possible, shall not have to fight these damnable elements as well!!
5) That when having a morning bath, a helpless or hopeless patient – who is wanting mental stimulus – is not torn and bullied about by nurses who have no time or patience for anyone except their own position. (Only a certain few need this treatment, Majority of nurses cannot discriminate).
6) That is shall be also looked upon as damnable that a patient is made to think the water she has been bathed in (“to wash your mouth out with”) thereby putting back into the body any of the outward disease or filth that person may be suffering from (incidentally would this make a person more mental or less so?)
7) That the bathroom and bath is cleaned with (disinfectant kerosene) once per day at least. That lavatory seats and floors be cleaned with (disinfectant kerosene) once per day at least. All our bare skins and consequent germs (if any) sometimes motion being deposited on the seat for the next person to sit on with bare skin and also take last-left germs (perhaps) or deposit more for the next comer!
8) That all bedrooms shall be cleaned out with (disinfectant kerosene) 3 times a week, at least. This means walls and ventilators and all woodwork washed with damp (disinfectant kerosene) rag.
9) That patients shall be treated as individuals – not as herds in a pen.
10) That these shall be nurses, sufficiently a “nurse” – intuitive, selfless, and with sufficient knowledge and understanding to appreciate, and to being out, and foster the better and finer qualities of a patient. Nurse Bassett is about the only one who does this and knows this instinctively. God bless her fifty times over!
11) That texts of a comforting and helpful nature should be painted by unemployed artists, letter or sign writers on the upper portions of the walls, so that patients waking from agony, or coma, a disillusionment, or disease, or “death” shall have something concrete to go upon, to fix the mind upon, to ponder over, to build anew upon, to feast over, to glory in tribulation over; instead of waking up to bare walls, four square, bare facts – more sick patients – disordered minds – and a great lack of ? and sometimes a misunderstanding of the case (this cannot always be helped)
12) That a person with brains or intuition be allowed to use them! Not a united effort made to squash and quell any spirit of rightful constructiveness or spiritual enlightenment. May God bless the lot of them.
13) So that when the new wing is opened there may be such cleanness of mind and action such efficiency of staff accoutrements such a love of detail or perfection of character and peacefulness that even Dr. Jones may now know where he is – for joy. That even when Christ himself comes He shall find no flaw or ‘let’ in it!
14) Wholemeal bread (“wheatmeal” bread by some) needs only the wheat crushing and the making of it into loaves, consequently it is cheap and should be dirt cheap because of the little labour and time attached to its preparation and delivery – also incidentally. God provided it free that only a small quantity is eaten compared with the ‘white’ loaf, it being so satisfying, therefore the bread bill would be almost ‘nil’ comparatively, and the hard found cash of the institution thus saved should be spent on the extra raw fruit and milk. This would mean less cooking therefore less “fire” costs, more time therefore could and should be given to seeing that diseased patients blankets as well as sheets are well washed after each bed case and not mixed with other clean, or dirty, clothing of any sort.
15) How is it the medical profession or other ‘specialist’ hasn’t evolved a mattress with a cover, rubber or otherwise, that can be washed and cleaned without risk of wetting the stuffing or of disease germs getting inside the bedding?!
16) During hot weather patients are asking all day for water. Is it not possible to have some on tap during the day for washing or drinking purposes and it is usually locked up all day. Of course, I know there are difficulties connected with this.
17) Prophecy says weather is going to be cooler and wetter. Is there provision for this in the matter of central heating – meaning a boiler and stoke hole in the basement, heating pipes of water laid round each room, with “safety radiator” to control the heating in each room as per American fashion? This would be the cheapest, cleanest, easiest and safest method of heating for such surroundings, I believe.
18) For patients who are in bed for weeks on end wouldn’t it be possible for there to be some netting of an indestructible nature to be put in front of the windows so that they could be wide open top and bottom, or if too expensive at this time, to have prickly wiring or jagged edged fixture arranged along the top of the bottom pane, so that only skilled nurses could open the top pane to its full capacity and no one could climb out that way either. The rooms get stifling in the warmer weather, particularly those with locked door at night. None but a catarrhal patient can know what it is to not know where the next breath of air to breath is coming from, so that one niggles, ?, sits up and lies down in “stifleness” of mind and body all night – when God gave air to breathe freely and did not bale it out in inches and feet-fulls!
19) Wouldn’t it be better to grow more vines, lemons and orange trees, then you would be sure of supplies for patients – strikes or no strikes, wars or no wars – and quite easy to have a private enclosure for them so that patients would not steal them. (Here patients observe that it is the nurses who seem to get all the extras, honey, lettuce, fruit etc, when they are already strong and hefty, while poor patients weak and sickly are dying off for nourishment, just get white bread, steamed fruit, custard made of inferior powder and the cheapest poorest grained meat – the lucky few get “extras” bought in by visitors, what about the unlucky few?
20) What a happy girl I should be if I could feel all this were put right! and could leave the hospital feeling that everyone was being looked after and catered for to the very best of known ability, skill and common knowledge. I am voicing the ideas of many of the patients, and trust you will realise that there is grace sufficient to do this, that we all believe in you, and look to you to quietly bring about this state of perfection, sanity, and reasonableness not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit saith the Lord. Again thanking you all for all you have done.

Yours, etc

Amy C. E. Enock

P.S – If Dr. Jones wants to know whether he is forgiven for allowing, aiding and abetting an innocent girl to be forced and sat by three “nurses” to take “a sleeping draught” two nights running, and thereby ruining the mental outlook, and visibly affecting the bodily appearance, and contour, thereby, possibly upsetting the general trend of events for one life! for some time to come! tell him he is: also the nurses who are instructed to do these damnable things, and only because my womanly intuition tells me from years of experience what is good for me and what is not, that one slightly kicked against among treatment. On behalf of the firm (and infirm).

AE

P.P.S – I hope you will not read into this fault finding and “Christianity”, nothing of the sort: it is just an earnest desire and wish for things to be as they should be for order instead of chaos, and is brought on by years of much suffering consequently a deep understanding of nervous conditions, reactions, stimuluses, etc, of good values and reactions, of mental outlook and reactions and love for ones neighbour.

I suppose really I should have written this to matron as she should be able to see these things need doing, but being away on holiday, pervious time is lost – those patients still lying there dying off for true nourishment, and a real building up of the nervous system.

Hoping my dreams will come true pretty quickly and with every best wish to everybody.

AE

For more knowledge, read “natures way” Roddie Mallett 1/6

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"From them you will see that your sister Amy is suffering from a nervous breakdown and I am of opinion that it would be well for us to meet as soon as possible to talk over the matter and particularly, what should be done and as to whether the letter should be sent to auntie Lillie. It seems to me that no good purpose would be served by arranging to have her sent back to England as your Mother and Madge, also I suppose you yourself, here had too small amount of trouble already when she was last home."

"Nervous breakdowns are very common to both sexes and they are not serious if taken in hand in time, and where the patient has sufficient will power left to combat their non-happy condition. I have had 2 experiences in that way myself and know the misery accompanying it."

"You had think, better ascertain if the Australian Gov has power to depart people who may be in the verge of insanity."

"I do not think anything should be said to either your Mother or Madge, till we have an opportunity conferring together." - Letter from Jim Wilson to Robert Enock, dated 7th September, 1931.

"Amy was admitted to Broughton Hall on the 23rd June 1931. She was irresponsible, was suspicious of the actions of others, believed that she was controlled by hypnotism and was unable to apply herself. She remained under treatment for six months during which time she varied from a state of quiet indolence to a more active state of agitation in which she expressed the ideas referred to above. She had many opportunities to seek employment but could not find anything to suit her ? was in my opinion was she fit at anytime to live independently of others." - Letter written by the Medical Superintendent at Broughton Hall, dated 15th December 1931.

"However, I must now wait till I hear of your plans for Amy. Mrs Audley Smith has been most kind in trying to find a place for Amy to go for two or three weeks. She wrote to someone she knows who has a Poultry Farm and she took her down there last Thursday the 17th as I told you in my last letter her time was up at Broughton Hall." - Lillie Mary Smith to Robert Enock - letter dated 20th December, 1931.

1932

"As you know she had to be removed from Broughton Hall as 6 months is the limit a patient can be there. Fortunately Auntie Edie knew a woman who has a Poultry Farm near where she had hers and she has very kindly had her there all this time."

"Auntie E. Uncle J went to see Amy some weeks ago. She was much calmer than when she left Broughton Hall but since then she has not been herself at all."

"I wrote and asked Mrs Spake if she could come up to Sydney (30 odd miles) and talk things over with me. She came yesterday and has promised to keep her provided and is willing to stay and is content till I get back and to decide with you how the monetary part is to be managed."

"I have been paying £25/- a week for her since she went there but am now paying 20/- as I could not keep that up and Mrs S. was willing to reduce it, but of course I cannot go on doing this." - Lillie Mary Smith to Robert Enock, letter dated 16th February, 1932.

"This is to certify that Amy Clara Elizabeth Enock was under treatment at this hospital from 26/06/31 to 17/12/31. In my opinion she is suffering from paraphrenia (see bottom of story) and is totally incapacitated from earning." - written by Medical Superintendent J Evan Jones of Broughton Hall Psychiatric Clinic, dated 26th February 1932.

1934

"There is a letter sent from E Audley Smith to Mr Enock dated . In it is written 'you will have heard that Amy is back again at Rydalmere and I really think that is the best place for her at any rate for a time. She got so troublesome that Mrs Mogenie felt she could not keep her any longer. Mrs Mogenie had a nervous collapse and Amy absolutely refused to leave." - Edith Audley Smith to Robert Enock, dated 22nd January 1934.

1938

"I am in receipt of your letter of the 25th November with reference to Miss Enock, and have to advise you that mentally she seems to be a little improved of late, is not quite so confused and is able to converse a little more rationally and consecutively.....Physically she is still far from well, is very anaemic, and does not enjoy good general health.....Lately she has suffered from recurrent attacks of biols, but she has responded well to treatment in this respect I am pleased to say.....There is no immediate anxiety concerning her, and it is not possible for me to express any opinion as to her probable expectation of life." - Letter from the Medical Superintendent at Rydalmere Mental Hospital to Edith Audley Smith - dated 28th November 1938.

1939

"I am in receipt of your letter of the 1st December with reference to Miss Amy Enock, and have to advise that at present she looks well and is taking her food quite well. She is also clean in her personal habits and is able to dress and feed herself, but mentally she remains very dull, takes very little interest in her environment, has very little spontaneous conversation and cannot be usefully occupied in anyway." - Letter from the Medical Superintendent at Rydalmere Mental Hospital to Edith Audley Smith - dated 4th December 1939.

1942

“I am in receipt of your letter of the 9th March with reference to your niece, Miss Amy Enock, and in reply desire to inform you that there are no prospects of her mental improvement and her condition is slowly deteriorating. She is losing all interest in herself and surroundings. Her physical health is fair. The cremation certificate has been received and will be filed with her papers” – Letter from the Medical Superintendent of Rydalmere to Mrs E. Audley Smith – 10th March, 1942

1944

"I am in receipt of your letter of the 5th July with reference to Miss Amy Enock, and in reply desire to inform you that her bodily health is satisfactory, but her mental condition does not improve" - Letter from the Medical Superintendent at Rydalmere Mental Hospital to Edith Audley Smith - dated 6th July 1944.

1966

“In reply to your letter of the 26th November, 1966 I wish to advise that your sister, Miss Amy Clara Elizabeth Enock, who was admitted to Rydalmere Hospital on the 5th May, 1933 at the age of 39 years, was transferred to this hospital on the 21st May, 1956. Miss Enock is in Ward 5 and the Sister in charge informs me that at the present time she is very well and happy”. – K. Connolly: Welfare Officer to Robert Doeg Enock – 5th December, 1966

1968

“I have received a letter from the Acting Medical Superintendent, Dr. De Zylva, of the Stockton Hospital in New South Wales stating that he wrote to your aunt’s sister, Mrs G.M. Wildridge, on the 24th April 1968 and quotes the following passage from the letter:- “Amy is quite well and happy and very contented. Her physical condition is good for her age, although her mental condition remains static”. These comments are apparently still applicable” – Letter to Clive Enock from A.J. Thomson, Official Secretary, New South Wales Government Offices – 26th September 1968