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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    that every precaution should be taken to prevent them from in- juring orhers. But, although the ultimate responsibility, in whatever concerns lunatics, devolves upon the state, it is by no means necessary, that it should take upon itself their immediate management. This very troublesome office may be entrusted, either to the relations of these unfortunate people, to the keepers of private mad-houses, or to the managers of public institutions. All of these must, however, be considered as responsible for their conduct to the state, and ought to be subjected to strict and judicious regula- tions, to prevent them from neglecting or abusing the trust thus confided in them. The treatment of lunatics has three principal objects in view ; their comfort, their recovery, and the security of the public. Every arrangement to attain these, may certainly be made by indi- viduals who undertake the management of a deranged relation; and, under their protection, the patient might be expected to enjoy every assistance and comfort, of which his situation admits. But it is almost impossible for the state to superintend the treatment of lu- natics who are kept at home, so widely must they be dispersed over the country; and among the higher classes of society, indul- gence, inexperience, or neglect, may endanger the safety, or di- minish the comforts of their neighbours, while unprincipled rela- tions may, under the pretence of insanity, deprive of liberty, and of all means of redress, an individual, whose free exercise of his na- tural rights impedes the gratification of their ambition or avarice. The lower classes have not these motives for unnatural cruelty ; but, from the want of proper accommodation, a lunatic cannot be kept at home, with comfort to himself or to his relations, or with safety to the public. Upon the whole, the domestic treat- ment of insanity is liable to many and strong objections. Private establishments for the reception of lunatics, especially when they are under the immediate management of a humane and intelligent medical practitioner, may fulfil all that can be reasonably expected, in regard to accommodation, security, and treatment, both medical and moral. In reality, excellent p.nvate mad-houses are to be met with, in various parts of the country; but it cannot be denied that'some of them are disgraceful nuisances, and that they are liable to the greatest abuses. From improper construc- tion, being almost never built on purpose, th>'y are deficient in accommodation for the patients, and insufficient for public se- curity. Instances of lunatics escaping from private mad-houses do not unfrequently occur ; while, on the other hand, unneces- sary, or hurtful personal coercion must often be employed, to make up for the defects of the building. Few