Mental Observation Wards in London *The London County Council has no responsibility for the contents of this article.

By a custom established at some unknown date by the now defunct Boards of Guardians, Observation Wards occupy a more important place in the system for dealing with mental patients in London than they do in many parts of England. As most readers are aware, there are two main channels for entering mental hospitals as a certified mental patient. First, the Relieving Officer can arrange for a visit by a magistrate and doctor to the house of the alleged " person of unsound mind ", and if an order is made, can thereupon remove him forthwith to a mental hospital. The alternative method is for the Relieving Officer to take his patient to a " workhouse " or appropriated hospital with suitable accommodation, and there to have him seen by magistrate and doctor. If certified, he must be removed within fourteen days to a mental hospital. Probably owing to the great shortage of mental beds in the London district and the consequent impossibility of removing patients promptly from their homes, the London Guardians practically never utilised the first method, but brought all mental patients into observation wards, situated either in their workhouses or Jn the infirmaries. This custom has been continued by the London County Council since they took over the Guardians' responsibilities in April, 1930.