A letter addressed to the Right Hon. Robert Peel : in consequence of a motion lately made in parliament for leave to bring in a bill for the better regulating of lunatic establishments / by David Johnston.

Date:
1828
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A letter addressed to the Right Hon. Robert Peel : in consequence of a motion lately made in parliament for leave to bring in a bill for the better regulating of lunatic establishments / by David Johnston. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    the capital. In other parts of the country, how- ever, it went on much more slowly. This may be judged of from the circular of the Minister of the Interior, published in 1819, which, while it points out the faults of the existing system, recommends the meliorations that should he made. This cir- cular sets forth, that there are departments in which the deranged portion of the community is scattered about in different hospitals, and even prisons. It recommends that all lunatics should, if possible, be received into the same establishment; they would then be better attended to, and their medical treat- ment followed out with more success. “ In many places,” it is further stated, “ the cells for maniacs are small, damp and ill-aired. The subterranean cells should be altogether abandoned, and the floors should be planked, in order that the inmates may never touch the cold earth with their feet. The doors are generally small, and the only open- ing in the cells. They should be enlarged, and windows should be constructed, if possible, in the opposite wall. The inmates should never be per- mitted to lie on the ground ; they should receive food several times a day; and never be refused li- quid when thirsty. The attendants should never,
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