Five cardinal questions on administrative psychiatry / by J. Mundy.

  • Mundy, Jaromir, Freiherr von, 1822-1894.
Date:
1861
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Five cardinal questions on administrative psychiatry / by J. Mundy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    asylmn for the mifortunate insane. We find quiet and order reigning where we had feared discordant wailings and confusion; gentle and judicious arrangements and comfort, often, in fact, luxury and elegance, where we presupposed restriction and wretchedness ; extreme cleanliness, where we expected the contrary in its highest degree; agreeable diversions and amusements, where we had reason to expect only force and restraint; and instead of roughness and dull indiffer- ence, we find the most indefatigable, affectionate, and sympathising treatment of the insane. The strictest control on the part of the superior authorities, the assiduous chronicling of everything that can be of interest to the public at large, to science, and to art, at the present and in future time, that completes the picture of our impressions wliich we may sum up in the following words : “ truly in our century the utmost endeavours have been made to cure the insane, and to make the lot of the incurable as agreeable as possible.'’^ Who, after reading the above account, does not feel called upon to render thanks to the legislators and promoters of such humane insti- tutions, and also to the superintendents, officers, and physicians, of asylums, who have herein certainly done the most valuable service- It only remains for us to remark, that the insane themselves whom we have seen, almost vdthout exception, seemed contented and pleased, were exceedingly well fed, and gave the most ready answers to our questions ; indeed the majority of them declared themselves well con- tented with their lot. Praise was hberally bestowed on their atten- dants and physicians, and they spoke with affectionate regard of the Director of the Asyliun. Such would be the general colour in which the educated classes might express themselves in recording their observations and opinions, after having inspected one of the larger or smaller of the so-called “ Model Asylums of Europe.^' We might, however, look to meet with individuals, who, after repeated visits to their relatives, the unfortunate mmates of lunatic asylums, would give less favorable accomits of their treatment and care, but the number of these is very small; some others, indeed, are met with who make loud complaints of violence, restriction, selfishness of greed, and neglect of then friends confined in asylums, and ridicule the impotence and inefficiency of the system of treatment of the insane, and its apostles. Eirst among the latter must be reckoned those general midcontents, who daily quarrel with the sun, and earth, and the water, air, and heat; and next again a select lew, who appro]niate to their pinpose any facts and data of science, as well as of experience, as proofs to substantiate their own morbid impressions. To this latter class only need any heed be given by us. But as we have here to treat of what is the general rule, we must keep to the opinions and judgment of