The history of Bedlam from its foundation in the thirteenth century.

Very interesting book about not only the history of Bedlam in its various incarnations, but also the treatment of mentally ill people through the ages. Some, if not most, of those treatments were quite horrific.

For a Bookcrosser who has this on their wishlist.
Enjoy!

Thank you so much, rahar109! I really look forward to reading this!

Nice to see you again!

A fascinating history of Bedlam (Bethl(eh)em}, the famous (infamous) hospital for the insane, from its many locations to its varied inmates, to different theories of madness and changing treatments. I have many pages marked with post-it flags, but instead of quoting extensively, I’ll just list the topics on the marked pages.

*A majority of inmates appear to be admitted shortly after coming into money
*Influence of Puritanism, with its emphasis on personal social responsibility for the sick and the poor
*Religious enthusiasm representing a danger to those with fragile and delicate minds
*Physiotherapy and hypnotherapy
*The French calling insanity “la maladie anglaise” and the English retaliating by calling syphilis “The French disease”
*The “English Melancholy” attributed to the mixture of fogs, beef and beer aggravated by the rigours of Nonconformity and the tedium of the English Sunday.
*Visiting Days at Bethlem, providing a peep show for London’s Lowlifes
*John Wesley (founder of Methodism) may have been one of the first to push the idea: “why, then, do not all physicians consider how far bodily disorders are caused or influenced by the mind?”
*Mad King George III
*Mad women; the womb causing Hysteria:
*“The medical establishment took the view that merely to be in possession of a cervix predisposed one to insanity, and women were considered cripplingly vulnerable to their emotional state.”
*ECT (Electro Convulsive therapy); early uses

The book covers many subjects indeed! But the main theme is (as rahar109 mentioned) the unfair treatment of mentally ill, which to some extent continues to this day.

A great read! Thanks again, rahar109!

Traveling in the Biographies of Things bookbox.

Taking from the Biographies of Things bookbox. Thanks!

I tried reading this one but after the first 70 pages, I decided to give up on it. Although the subject matter seemed interesting, to me it was very disjointed and rambling and didn’t hold my interest.

RABCK to mrsjones in Ohio. Enjoy!

Arrived in the mail today. Thank you so much! I can’t wait to read it.