Cure, comfort, and safe custody : public lunatic asylums in early nineteenth century England / Leonard D. Smith.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Smith, Leonard D., 1947-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Psychiatric hospital care--England--History--19th century.

Psychiatric hospital care.

Psychiatric hospitals--England--History--19th century.

Psychiatric hospitals.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (329 p.)

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Leicester University Press, c1999.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book is a study of the pioneer early county asylums, which were intended to provide for the 'cure', and 'safe custody' of people suffering from the ravages of insanity. It considers the origins of the asylums, how they were managed, the people who staffed them, their treatment practices, and the experiences of the people who were incarcerated. 'Community care' in the late twentieth century has led us to abandon the network of nineteenth century lunatic asylums. This book reminds us of the ideals that lay behind them. The book contains extensive material regarding particular cities/countie

Contents:

Contents; List of Illustrations; Acknowledgements; List of Abbreviations; Introduction; 1 The Rise of the Public Asylum; 2 Asylum Management; 3 'Waste Stuff': Peopling the Asylum; 4 'The Most Essential Instruments': From Keepers to Attendants; 5 Inside the Asylum; 6 Treatment and Care; 7 Useful Occupation; 8 With Due Restraint; Conclusions: In Pursuit of Cure; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9786612309953

9781282309951

1282309951

9780567240415

056724041X

OCLC:

458558429