On the construction and management of hospitals for the insane : with a particular notice of the institution of Sieburg / by Maximilian Jacobi ; translated by John Kitching ; with introductory observations, &c., by Samuel Tuke.

  • Carl Wigand Maximilian Jacobi
Date:
1841
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the construction and management of hospitals for the insane : with a particular notice of the institution of Sieburg / by Maximilian Jacobi ; translated by John Kitching ; with introductory observations, &c., by Samuel Tuke. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    INTRODUCTION. xiii other than insane paupers, it deserves the serious consideration of magistrates whether, though not bound by official duty, they are not called upon, by considerations of humanity and the general good of society, to extend their beneficial guardianship to other classes of the insane; and if it can be shewn that such a proceeding would be attended with pecuniary benefit to the establishment, a strong argument would be afforded in support of it upon the ground of expediency, since the cost of the insane poor is found a very heavy burden upon most parishes. Certainly all that we have said against the provision for the pauper insane in private houses, applies to those who, though paid for by their friends, are yet, placed on the lowest class. These are objects of the greatest commiseration : often do we see a family in what are termed respectable circumstances, reduced to all but pauperism, by the mental alienation of its head; and it will hardly be doubted, that such an individual placed in a private in- stitution, is, in genera], in a far more deplorable situation, and is less likely to obtain suitable curative treatment, than he would be, if, as a pauper, he were the object of a County Asylum. I do not speak here with reference to the mismanagement of private asylums, but of their imperfect adaptation to the wants of those, who cannot pay pretty largely for their board and atten- dance : indeed the outlay required for the proper provision for this class, and the loss which would be sustained if the buildings ceased to be wanted for their original purpose, renders it im- probable that private speculation will ever properly meet the wants of the public in this respect. Observation in the York Asylum, in which patients of various classes in regard to pro- perty are received, convinces me that such an union of provision in one institution is in many respects advantageous. As there is no County Asylum for the north and east Riding of York- shire, many of the paupers of these districts are placed in this establishment; but I believe its service to the public has not been less in providing, on moderate terms, and in a manner adapted to their condition, for the treatment of many patients of a class above paupers. The higher classes of patients who can afford to pay from twelve to twenty-one shillings per week, are