The history of the first inebriate asylum in the world / by its founder [Jonathan Edward Turner]. An account of his indictment, also a sketch of the Woman's national hospital, by its founder.

  • Turner, J. Edward, 1822-1889.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the first inebriate asylum in the world / by its founder [Jonathan Edward Turner]. An account of his indictment, also a sketch of the Woman's national hospital, by its founder. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    43/512 (page 39)
    the wild screech of the maniac; we offer the physician who regards him as a diseased man, and treats him as a compan- ion-, instead of the harsh and unfeeling' treatment too often received from the keepers of oiir prisons and penitentiaries, Avho consider him in the light of a felon. In the treatment of this disease we have alwaj’S used tonics instead of stimulants, having found that stimulants aggravated internal congestions, and produced a stage in this disease most dangerous in its results; a stage often fol- lowed by delirium tremens and convulsions. AVe have found that tonics when prescribed have produced a favorable action in the system. Baths have relieved internal congestions, and mild cathartics have obviated costiveness. Other remedies have been used as occasion required. The success attending this treatment depends upon the control which the physician has over his patient, as well as the remedies employed. AA^e have had much trouble in treating seven-eighths of our cases, for the sole reason that before we had brought the tone of the system above par, and the brain to a corresponding- state of health, our patient would have fi-esli attacks of the disease, by being exposed to the causes of this malady. Relapse after relapse would follow until death closed the scene. From this we ])rove the importance of an asylum, where the patient would be under the conqdete control of the physician, and where medical, mental, and religious influences could be brought to bear directly upon him. A sufficient time must be allowed for the medical treatment of this class of patients. AA’e shall now speak of the great results which will follow from the asylum which we by our humble efforts are endeav- oring to establish. AAT would state that the experience we have had for years past in the treatment of this disease where the patient has been under our control, demonstrates that more than forty per cent can be cured by an asylum. In conversations with Dr. A alentiue Aloft, John AA . Francis and a. large number of physicians both in this country and Fui'ope, they declared that when an Inebriate Asylum was established with a medical treatment and control over its y)atients that such a Hospital would cure forty per cent of its ])atients. AAath these medical facts before us and the