The lunacy question; or, the lunatic benefited and protected; with an inquiry into public and private asylums / by Joseph Williams.

  • Williams, Joseph, 1814-1882.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The lunacy question; or, the lunatic benefited and protected; with an inquiry into public and private asylums / by Joseph Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    quested me to accompany him into the country to see a friend, who, I believe, was also a distant connexion, then in confinement; the patient not having progressed, but rather retrograded, the relations were becoming uneasy. We found him in a very spacious and well furnished room, highly ex- cited, and in a state of frenzy. Immediately I saw him, I was convinced that he was not properly managed ; there not being efficient moral control—and on pressing my in- quiries, I was dissatisfied also with the medical and hygienic treatment. I then inquired, what is that mark upon his nose ? And how is it, he has that black eye ? The keeper replied^ he had knocked them against the bed-post! I re- reque^ted to see his arm, it was bruised all over ! I then examined both his legs, and found general ecchymosis. This was accounted for by his violence when in bed ! Having prescribed for the poor sufferer, we left, and while returning home, and talking over the case, I said to my friend. If you do not remove that patient he will never recover; and I advised him to recommend the relations to send him to the care of a most humane physician, whom I have never seen, but whose name I well know. What was the result ? The patient was sent to the place suggested, and within two months returned home to his friends, cured. I can have no interest in saying it, but my firm, positive, honest, conviction is, that had that poor, afflicted, injured patient remained where I saw him, that he would have been to this day a ma- niac ! or by this time might have lapsed into a paralytic im- becile, and been then regarded by the proprietor of the asylum, as an annuity ! ! . No one can estimate the joy, and pride, and pleasure I felt when informed that the patient we had left, was now again restored to his family in health and reason. I had re- ceived no fee, and would accept of none. I had no pecu- niary interest in the matter, but I experienced that delight which no money can purchase. Why are these facts mentioned ? Not for the sake of oc- cupying a few moments' passing interest, but that every one may be induced to inquire into the subject. All lunatic asylums must be subjected to constant surveillance ; those containing the poor as well as the rich, the lunatic must he specially protected; but, in addition, it will be essential to DO AWAY WITH PRIVATE ASYLUMS ; no man must be per- mitted to have a direct interest in either fostering or per- petuating insanity. I do not agree with those who consider it to be sufficient