Report, together with the minutes of evidence, and an appendix of papers, from the committee : appointed to consider of provision being made for the better regulation of madhouses in England (ordered by the House of Commons, to be printed, 11th July, 1815) : each subject of evidence arranged under its distinct head / by J.B. Sharpe.

  • House of Commons
Date:
1815
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report, together with the minutes of evidence, and an appendix of papers, from the committee : appointed to consider of provision being made for the better regulation of madhouses in England (ordered by the House of Commons, to be printed, 11th July, 1815) : each subject of evidence arranged under its distinct head / by J.B. Sharpe. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    ducted upon the most humane, cleanly, plentiful, yet prudent plan, that such an institution can admit of; and is therefore justly entitled to my warmest approbation aud applause. Pray accept of my unfeigned thanks for your unbounded kindness to me, and excess of humanity to that motley and turbulent society, some of whom it seems have rendered themselves so unworthy of your regard. That you may long enjoy health and happiness, is the sincere prayer of, Sir, Your much obliged and humble Servant, &c. Foston, near Grantham, Lincolnshire. Charles Best, Esq. M. D. The accusation of my having received a fee improperly, in a particular case, mentioned at page 7,* was brought before the Committee of Enquiry at York, by Mr. Higgins, in August last, with extremely aggravating circumstances, and was by that Committee rejected as undeserving of notice. My written reply to the charges, presented to the Governors, I beg leave to lay before the Committee. [It was read, as follows:] To the Governors of the York Lunatic Asylum. My Lords and Gentlemen, An accusation having been this day brought forward against me, by Mr. Higgins, of having charged five guineas for myself; and two guineas, or 2/. for the apothecary, for extra attendance on one of my private patients at the Asylum about three years ago, the friends of the patient having been informed by me, that he had broken his leg, when no such accident had in reality befallen him; I beg leave to observe, that I have witnesses at hand, who, should it be the pleasure of this Court, will immediately appear, and as I believe, will prove in the most satisfactory manner, that the patient alluded to did break his leg, and that he more- over suffered a long and distressing bodily illness, not connected with the accident. In regard to my recommendation of a remuneration to the apothecary for extra attendance, though I cannot speak with any accuracy as to the fact, at the present period, the circumstance being alleged to, having taken place three years ago ; I think it highly probable, that I may have recommended it in the instance under consideration, as I have the recollection of having done so in one or more other instances of casual illness, requiring special medical or surgical attendance. In regard to myself, though it is perfectly possible that I