Observations on the Size and Construction of Lunatic Asylums

Extract

It is only after much thinking, and with much hesitation, that I venture to advocate in the following pages, principles as to the size and construction of lunatic asylums, which I believe to be at variance with those upheld by the highest authorities on this subject; but the question how provision may be best made for the enormous number of lunatics now known to exist in every civilized country, is one of such importance, and still so far from having received a satisfactory answer, that it seems a matter of duty on the part of every one who has had favourable opportunities for considering the matter, to place his views before the public. In this, as in other questions, full and free discussion seems to offer the best chance for a speedy arrival at the truth, and though my views may not meet public approval, yet their publication may contribute to enquiry, and thus tend to a satisfactory solution of the question. I am of opinion, that asylums of large size are the best adapted for the curative and humane treatment of the insane, and whilst I am not prepared to say what limit should be put to the size of an asylum, I do not consider that Colney Hatch, which is the largest of our public asylums, would be too large, if its internal construction had been arranged so as to meet certain modifications in the principles of management, which, in my mind, would be advisable in all asylums, but which are still more requisite in those of large than of small size.