Observations on the admission of medical pupils to the wards of Bethlem Hospital, for the purposes of studying mental diseases / [John Webster].

  • Webster, John, 1795-1876.
Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the admission of medical pupils to the wards of Bethlem Hospital, for the purposes of studying mental diseases / [John Webster]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    not be blighted. Or the exclusion may have arisen from the cautious policy of the lay governors of lunatic asylums, and their unwillingness to change existing regulations; whilst the lukewarmness of the medical profession generally upon this question, may have also contributed to let matters remain as hitherto ; at the same time, the non-activity of physicians attached to institutions for the insane, with a few exceptions, have tended to produce a similar result. But a new light has at last broken in upon the managers, of some of our great public establishments for lunatics, which has been responded to by others; and, however slow the progress of reform may yet advance, the cause of medical science and public utility, will ultimately prevail over every obstacle. When the anatomy question was first brought before the medical profession, with a view to remedy the great difficul¬ ties formerly obstructing the acquisition of knowledge, in that important part of medical education, which constitutes the very foundation of medicine and surgery; notwithstanding the lukewarmness of some, and the fears of others, lest public feeling might be excited against the proposed innovation; the opposition of interested parties and public bodies were of no avail; and that excellent measure was carried tri¬ umphantly through parliament, with very general approba¬ tion. Looking back to the beginning of that discussion, and remembering the few uninfluential individuals who, with myself, drew up the resolutions and petition to par¬ liament, passed at the Westminster Medical Society in 1829, which was among the first demonstrations in favour of a change in the existing laws, relative to abolishing the dissec¬ tion of criminals, as also the supply of subjects to the medical schools; I am encouraged by the success of that question, against much prejudice and interested opposition, to enter¬ tain no fears respecting the ultimate fate of the present pro¬ position, provided its utility to the community is fully esta¬ blished. Delayed the cause may be for a time, and opposition it will encounter ; but whenever the advantages accruing to society, from a more extensive knowledge of insanity by medical practitioners are better understood, the change now advocated must ultimately triumph. Objections may, perhaps, be taken by the governors, lest the excitement and noise occasioned by the attendance of pupils, in the wards of Bethlem Hospital with the phy¬ sicians, might produce injurious effects upon the patients, especially upon the females. Undoubtedly indiscriminate admission, or permitting crowds of visitors at irregular