The Treatment of Incipient Insanity

Extract

Dr. Clouston is indefatigable. He once more appeals to the charitable public in the columns of the Scotsman, for the establishment of wards in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for the treatment of incipient insanity. The editor of the Scotsman lends his powerful aid to the proposal, and various letters have followed on this inception. Six years ago the scheme was carefully considered and definite proposals were made, but financial difficulties compelled postponement. The unanimity of the medical profession and the apparent assent of the philanthropic public augured favourably for success; and it is hoped that the public interest is again awakened by the representations which have been made more recently. It would appear that the success of the special department of the Albany Hospital in the State of New York and the special wards established in Glasgow has been undoubted. The former is in contact with a general hospital and has all the advantages of such a connection, but the latter is specialised and separated from the general hospitals of the west. A suggestion has been made that Saughton Hall might be used for the purpose indicated, but we would strongly deprecate any arrangement of that kind. The whole intention is to avoid segregation and the very appearance of an asylum, to bring the early treatment of mental disorders into living contact with the medical work of a great hospital. It is not proposed to create an asylum within the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, but to provide open wards for the early treatment of the insane, under the care of a skilled physician who will enjoy the active co-operation of the medical and surgical staff as may be found necessary in the circumstances of each particular case.