Observations on the general treatment of lunatics as a branch of medical police.

  • Duncan, Andrew, Jun., 1773-1832.
Date:
[1809?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the general treatment of lunatics as a branch of medical police. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

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    to deprive of their licences the keepers of private mad-houses who may prove unworthy of the trust, and to remove into a public asylum any lunatic whose friends neglect or maltreat him ; to keep regular records, and to produce these records when legally required in any court of justice. In writing these observations, my chief object is to call the at- tention of my professional brethren, to the state of lunatics, and - the laws, or rather the total deficiency of laws, regarding them, in this part of the island. The appointment of a committee for inquiring into the state of criminal and pauper lunatics in England, is a proof that the legislature is not unwilling to devote a part of their attention to the subject; and it has appeared to several zealous friends of hu- manity, that this is a favourable opportunity for directing that attention to the other parts of the empire. To render the application they are making for that purpose more effectual, they wish to obtain all the information possible on the subject ; and I have been requested, through the medium of this Journal, to solicit from its readers answers to the follow- ing queries, together with any hints or observations at all con- nected with them. First, If in the county towns, or within the counties adjacent, within the knowledge of the correspondent, there are any asy- lums for insane persons, public or private ? Secondly, The numbers such institutions can accommodate, or do contain ; and what claims or yearly allowance is required for admission, and how the funds are supported and managed ? Thirdly-, The regulations of such asylums with respect to me- dical treatment ; attendance or inspection by medical people, ma- gistrates, and sheriffs ? Fourthly, The numbers annually admitted and dismissed; pro- nounced incurable ; or who die ? Fifthly, As to the regulations for diet, exercise, clothes, beds, and bedding, and the use of hot or cold baths ; keepers and un- der attendants ; and the employment of convalescents ? Sixthly, If in the towns or adjacent country, any insane persons are seen wandering about ? Seventhly, If any insane persons are confined in the county jails or work-houses, and their treatment there ; if criminals, of what they are accused, and how long they have been confined ? Eighthly, Do you know of any objections against extending the English acts with regard to lunacy to this part of the empire ? Ninthly, Can you suggest any amendment to these acts, either general or peculiarly applicable to Scotland ?