An update re: Terence Callaghan
I've now been provided with the papers relating to Terence Callaghan's time in the County Lunatic Asylum in Rainhill. I have to say I'm delighted with what I've received - detailed case notes and medical/personal history and even two photos of him on admission and discharge!! To actually see what my g-g-g-grandfather looked like boggles the mind!
Anyway, as hoped, it has given me some clues as to his erratic behaviour towards the end of his life. Basically, it appears from the case notes that he was the secretary/treasurer to a shoemakers' club/society in Liverpool (he was a shoemaker by trade) and that there was some sort of mix-up with the money (he claims to have been misled) and it clearly caused him some anxiety (the notes say that it is playing on his mind). This incident seems to have led him to turn to drink and he has ended up drinking excessively all day long (it even says beer was his particular preference!). This, in turn, seems to have exacerbated the problem (doesn't it always?) and he obviously ended up in the Workhouse suffering in some way. By the time he ended up at the asylum, he is initially diagnosed with acute mania - and then when he is moved to the annexe (where long term patients were located) his diagnosis is revised to dementia. He seems to have difficulty remembering things like dates and events and appears to be generally confused/disorientated. I'm pleased to say that his time at the asylum seems to have gone well - for a while there was little to no improvement in his condition, then after the turn of 1898, things seem to improve quickly and he was discharged recovered. One good thing is that there is a testimony from his former employer saying that he was a "splendid boot hand" for 22 years before he was ultimately sacked for his unreliable behaviour after repeated warnings. Terence worked as a shoemaker in the asylum and regained his ability to carry out his trade.
So, on balance - with a modern perspective - it seems to me that he suffered an unfortunate financial incident which caused him worry and anxiety, sufficient for him to turn to drink. This seems to have led him off the rails and ultimately being declared a "lunatic" (that bit was quite difficult to read, I have to admit). Whether he truly recovered, I would have to question. He seems to have been OK between his discharge in 1898 and 1902 when he goes back into the Workhouse. After that time, he went back at least 15 or more times before his death in 1908, often found on the streets or from a common lodging house, as you may recall. I wonder whether he actually struggled with drink on and off for the rest of his life. And I wonder whether his to-ing and fro-ing from home to the lodging house wasn't a result of his wife kicking him out due to drink?
All in all, it's a bit of a sorry story, but absolutely fascinating nonetheless. In the 18 months I've been into genealogy, this has been by far the most exciting discovery. Not only the photos of Terence - but also the detailed account of his life and character.
Sorry to ramble on - hope that was interesting. Many thanks once again for all your help and guidance while I've been researching this particular avenue.