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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    public insane asylums, for the purpose of study, I shall re¬ frain, for the present, from any additional remark; trusting that the arguments I have advanced, may produce their due influence, in leading to a dispassionate examination of the question at issue. Should the reasoning employed, however, unfortunately fail, in accomplishing the object contemplated, I shall nevertheless feel satisfied that, at least, I have en¬ deavoured to perform, according to my ability, what ap¬ peared to be a duty, incumbent upon me as a governor of these hospitals to undertake; in order to extend towards the unfortunate class of society, who are afflicted with mental alienation, the advantages of having attendants competent to alleviate their complaints; as also, to obtain for the profession, of which I am a member, greater facilities for acquiring knowledge, on this disease, than they at present enjoy; the more so as, in justice to the responsibility physi¬ cians incur, they are fully entitled to possess every available opportunity, for the acquisition of professional experience, which public institutions can bestow ; more especially in those endowed with real property, or supported at the public expense. The obtaining of such privileges, would prove of great benefit to the public ultimately ; and any im¬ provement of the kind would only be just to the medical profession, considering the very onerous duties they have to perform ; whilst the best interests of all classes of society are essentially advanced, by their possessing medical practition¬ ers of superior education. But as these qualifications can best be acquired, by attendance in public hospitals for. the reception of insane patients; it is hoped, a more free admission into their wards than heretofore, will therefore be permitted, particularly, as very few evils could arise in^ consequence. Farther, the great usefulness of these benevolent establishments, which contribute so much to the glory of England, would be thus materially promoted; at the same time, the proposed change would indicate the increasing philanthropy of the present age, and its advanced civilization. finis. Printed by J. Mitchell Sf Co., (late Br.ettell,) Rupert Street, Haymarket, London.
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