[3]: 37 Fisherton House was subject to the Madhouses Act of 1774, which prescribed certain rules and conditions regarding private asylums run for profit.

There was a securely bound Visitors' Book in which the visiting magistrates were obliged to record anything they regarded as important, whether positive or negative.

[4] One of the sections of the 1774 Act provided that a person could be admitted to an asylum on a single certificate signed by a physician, surgeon or apothecary of unspecified qualification.

He illustrated this with an admission note he had received from a local apothecary: Hey Broadway, A Potcarey of Gillingham Certefy that Mr James Burt misfortin hapened by a Plow in the Hed which is the Ocaisim of his Ellness & By the Rising and Falling of the Blood And I think a Blister and bleeding and meddeson Will be A Very Great Thing But Mr James Burt wold not A Gree to be Don at Home.

For the Reception of INSANE PATIENTS, under the immediate Superintendence of Mr. CHARLES FINCH, who for upwards of twenty five years has devoted his time and study to relieve those afflicted with mental disorder and aberration.

Mr. C. FINCH returns his grateful acknowledgments to the Medical Gentlemen and the Public for the very great patronage he has experienced, and informs them he has completed some extensive and important improvements in and around the Asylum, for the better classification and comfort of its inmates, and for the appropriate accommodation of persons of the greatest respectability.

He has found, in his experience, that incurable cases are by no means so numerous as is generally imagined, particularly in aberrations resulting from febrile attacks: with those patients who have youth on their side, or whose malady is but of recent date, there is abundant room to hope that with judicious treatment a complete cure may be effected.

The apartments in the Asylum destined for male and female patients, are distinct and separate, by which arrangement all keep a belief that their sufferings receive sympathy and commiseration from those under whose care they are placed.

Very extensive Pleasure Grounds and Gardens, which have been recently much enlarged, and at a great expence improved and diversified, form a distinguishing portion of the Establishment; and are so studiously laid out as to produce a pleasing variety of amusement and promenade, and to gratify the patients' natural desire for change; to all of which they have an unlimited access.

There are convenient distinct Buildings for Pauper Patients, who are admitted as usual, and receive every possible Medical attendance and kind treatment equal to any Establishment in the Kingdom."

The fifth annual report by the Lunacy Commissioners found that the numbers of criminal lunatics had increased and the relief provided by Fisherton House was inadequate.

The poor conditions were tolerated because paupers were expected to be transferred to the newly commissioned county asylums,[3]: 66  promoted by the Lunacy Act of 1845.

His Royal Highness will take up residence in Bemerton Lodge which has been placed at his disposal through Dr Lush by Mr William Corbin Finch.

William McCave had pretended to be asleep and when Lutwidge passed he struck him in the head with a large nail, he claimed his motive was to attain transfer to Broadmoor Hospital.

[13] In 1877–78 Dr John Lush, then superintendent, sat on a parliamentary Select Committee enquiring into the Lunacy Act so far as regards security afforded by it against violations of personal liberty.

The inspectors noted some unexplained bruising of some patients, seclusion was still being used, the giving of "white medicine" was condemned and concern was expressed about washing facilities, smelly bathrooms and lack of ventilation.

He looked after patients at both Fisherton Asylum and Laverstock House and regularly recruited attendants from the Republic of Ireland, especially from the Ennis, County Clare area.

Some officers from Latchmere House in Surrey were also admitted around this time and they were accommodated in Bemerton Lodge, the former residence of William Corbin Finch and Sir Cecil Chubb.

[12] Conditions appear good in 1942 when a further commissioners' report notes "I have found on the whole the patients were happy and contented, obviously enjoying careful and kindly treatment ...

[12] This incident occurred in the Old Manor in 1941, when a patient, Norman Ashton, struck a member of staff, Reginald Trubridge, over the head with an iron grating in the kitchen of one of the wards.

A local girl, she commenced her post as matron in 1953 and brought a caring but stern attitude to staff management; she displayed a warmth and sense of humour but maintained firm discipline.

A tall distinctive figure with her immaculate grey uniform and high starched cap, she was the epitome of a matron at that time.

[24] There was a surge of building development from April 1968, when a new 25-bedded Nightingale Ward was built and opened by the Chairman of the Wessex Regional Hospital Board, Mr P L Templeman.

[22] The Salisbury Journal produced a full-page feature in May 1978 reporting that there were now 7 full-time psychiatric community nurses, working with a team of social workers caring for and supporting patients living at home.

[25] Following the introduction of Care in the Community in the early 1980s and also the transfer of services to Fountain Way, the Old Manor Hospital closed in 2003, following which, in 2014, the site was acquired by Quantum Group for development as a residential estate and the conversion of the main building to a hotel.

[1] At its foundation it is likely, in common with many others, that Fisherton House Asylum offered little more than basic physical care, security for the individual and a refuge from society.

Physical restraint was a common method of controlling dangerous behaviour, either by leg manacles, handcuffs or straitjackets, but these had been largely discontinued by 1847.

Among other treatments later recorded in use in Fisherton House in the mid-19th century were cupping, blistering, purging, diuretics, bleeding and the giving of various unspecified drugs.

[12] From a Commissioners Report in 1847 it is recorded that local bleeding, cold to the bare head and warmth to the lower extremities, opium, croton oil, hop pillows, prolonged warm baths with wooden planks across the bath to permit the taking of meals, setons to the neck (insertion of absorbent stitches to drain 'noxious substances' from the brain), a generous diet, malt liquor, wine and fresh air were all used as methods of treatment.

After study based on "The Red Handbook" attendants were encouraged to take an RMPA examination of 7 or 8 questions, a practical test and an oral exam.