The first report covers the period from the opening of the asylum (1st December 1851) to 31st December 1853.

The asylum is referred to variously as: "The Joint Lunatic Asylum for the Counties of Monmouth, Hereford, Brecon, Radnor, and City of Hereford", "Joint Counties' Lunatic Asylum", "Joint Lunatic Asylum", "Abergavenny Asylum", "United Counties' Asylum", "United Counties' Asylum, Abergavenny" and "Joint Counties' Asylum, Abergavenny"

Consists of a list of the Committee of visitors and officers, report of the Committee of Visitors (Samuel R. Bosanquet, chairman), reports of the Commissioners in Lunacy (J.R. Hume, B.W. Proctor, S. Gaskell, J.W. Mylne, T. Turner, W.G. Campbell), report of the medical superintendent (J.S. Allen), report of the chaplain (William G. Davies), matron's return of clothing (Charlotte Simon), statistical and financial tables (S. Browning)

Copy 1 Note: Bound with reports covering 1851-60 (published 1854-61)