Essays on asylums for persons of unsound mind / by John M. Galt.

  • John Minson Galt II
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Essays on asylums for persons of unsound mind / by John M. Galt. 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.

    26/34 page 22
    to those experienced in the symptoms of insanity the reverse may seem clear; admitting also, that the legal right of re- striction is fully in the hands of those having charge of an asylum, it is still, to say the least, doubtful whether this right should be exercised. The matter evidently stands thus: so far as the welfare of the institution is concerned, it makes no difference whether the supposed lunatic is com- mitted to its care or not; but by insisting on the use of a lawful power, it inevitably gives color to the accusation of improper motives. In our judgment it would be better to yield to the wishes of the community, at the same time making a public protest against the erroneous train of ideas by which they are deceived. This we believe, too, is the proper course, not only to avoid the false imputation to which we have referred, but for the especial reason in addi- tion, that in a republic, respect is always due to the opin- ions of the people.
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3