Observations on the admission of medical pupils to the wards of Bethlem Hospital, for the purpose of studying mental diseases / by John Webster.

Date:
1842
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the admission of medical pupils to the wards of Bethlem Hospital, for the purpose of studying mental diseases / by John Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    I ! farther; but as the object proposed in these observations, was to point out the advantages of giving additional facilities for studying insanity, rather than to investigate the most judicious mode of management, or the various remedies proper to be employed in treating that disease; the examples just given of the system formerly pursued at Bethlem, as in other hospitals, but which is now fortunately obsolete, have been brought forward as arguments, in favour of opening the doors of that institution more widely than heretofore. Believing, that the more extensively sound principles re- garding the management of the insane are diffused, the greater benefits will be conferred on suffering human nature; and should the observations contained in these pages, fortunately attract attention to the question now discussed, one of the objects contemplated will have been attained. And although I am not so sanguine as to expect, that old prejudices and customs, however injurious they may sometimes act upon society, can be suddenly removed; still, the wants of the community, and the general benefit of mankind, will ultimately triumph over every difficulty ; and thus render our great public institutions, for the reception of the insane, not only useful to their afflicted inmates, but make them conducive to the interests of the whole com- munity. Although the principle of permitting pupils to visit the insane patients in Bethlem Hospital, along with the physi- cians, has already been partially established, nevertheless, the application of this rule is of too limited a description to be of considerable benefit, as only three are allowed; and the expense being much beyond the pecuniary means of most medical students, the number is not always complete. Whilst at St. Luke's, notwithstanding one of the objects proposed at the foundation of that charity, according to the origi- nal address in 1751, was of introducing more gentlemen of the faculty, to the study and practice of one of the most important branches of physic; still medical pupils are not now admitted at that hospital, having upwards of 200 lunatic patients, however eminently qualified the present medical officers may be, for conveying instruction to young men, on the management and curative treatment of mental diseases. But a new era will, I hope, soon arrive, when more libera) sentiments regarding lunatic asylums, being made subservient to the advancement of medical education, may prevail, par- ticularly at public institutions like St. Luke's and Bethlem Hospitals.