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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    giving occupation to such patients, does not apply to the same extent, and restraint may in that case become necessary. Into such an interesting inquiry, as the propriety of re¬ straint in mental alienation, this is not the place to enter at length; nevertheless, I would remark in passing, much good has been effected by recent discussions on that subject; and whatever may be the opinions of physicians, the real and permanent benefit of patients, not dogmatic assertions unsupported by experience, ought to have influence in deciding so important a question. But enough has been now stated to shew, that intercourse with others, whether through the medium of physicians and medical students, or by engaging the patients1 minds in some intellectual or manual occupation, instead of producing any injurious consequences on the insane, as many may still believe, quite a contrary effect will often ensue. At the Gloucester Lunatic Asylum, the principle of amusing and giving occupation to insane patients, has been carried into operation to a considerable extent, and appa¬ rently with very beneficial results, according to the subjoined extract from the statement of the visiting Committee of 1841 ; which among other remarks, says, “ Balls and other amusements, occurring in Lunatic Asylums, have been of late publicly mentioned as matter of admiration and astonishment. In this Asylum, large parties for dancing have always been promoted ; as well as dinner and evening parties, when proper, and pleasurable excur¬ sions, for many hours, in the country. Musical entertain¬ ments within the walls, and attendance on public amuse¬ ments, are of so frequent occurrence, that they constitute the practice, rather than form the occasional source of astonishment in this Asylum. Indeed, to so great an extent does our superintendent endeavour to make his pa¬ tients feel that they belong to the great community of man¬ kind, and are only temporarily separated for their health s sake, that he encourages a great proportion to attend to their religious duties, on Sundays, in the places of worship in the city and neighbourhood ; and induces all who can or will separate themselves from the Asylum, to take their exercise in the surrounding country; whilst, to give encouragement to those who are inclined to be industrious, he employs all he can, without the walls, in various ways, and cultivates nearly twenty acres with the spade in the fields adjoining and belonging to the Asylum, with scarcely any other check upon their escape, beyond the good feeling subsisting between himself and them.1 From similar Institutions