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Undoubtedly there were exceptions, but this was generally the treatment of the insane previous to the time of Pinel, whom we must regard as the founder of the humane, rational, and now generally adopted system of moral treatment.

He had, to be sure, an active assistant, and to some degree a precursor in Pussin; still to Pinel seems fairly due the very great merit which we have mentioned.

He is most generally and popularly known in connection with the insane, by his bold act of unchaining above fifty maniacs at one time at the Bicetre Hospital, in 1792. But he had six years previous to this, reduced to practice his mild system of treatment elsewhere.

This system was not the result of an accident or an experiment, but was adopted by Pinel after much reading, observation and reflection. He thoroughly qualified himself for this great work by vast learning, -- a knowledge of the languages of other countries, and a thorough acquaintance with all that had been written on the subject of insanity.

Thus prepared, he early matured his system, then tried it in practice on a great scale for several years, and finally published it to the world. His first work on insanity, Traite Medico-Philosophique, was published in 1801, and we do not hesitate to say, that we know not of any work on insanity superior to this, especially as improved by Pinel in the last edition; -- none more worthy of our daily study. On perusing it, we almost lament to find that very little indeed has been added that may be called improvement in the moral treatment of the insane since his time. This work was early translated, and thus the views of Pinel respecting insanity and the proper treatment of the insane, were soon made known throughout the civilized world.

Not many years after this, the Retreat, near York in England, was established. It was suggested by Mr. William Tuke, who is generally considered its founder, and was mainly established for insane persons belonging to the Society of Friends, and for the purpose of separating them from the profane and profligate, and placing them under the care of the members of the society, and where they would be kindly treated. Great good resulted from the establishment of this Retreat, although it must be confessed, the original founders did not seem to have had very clear ideas respect the nature of insanity, or of its proper treatment. Benevolent feelings led them to wish the insane to be kindly treated, and they endeavored to carry their wishes into practice. At first there was no regular medical superintendent, though fortunately in George Jepson, whose name should be ever dear to the insane, and who acted as superintendent, they found a man of an original and vigorous mind, and who having some knowledge of medicine, and having visited other establishments for the insane, was well calculated to introduce and carry out useful reform. To him we consider the Retreat largely indebted for the success that attended its early administration.

This institution was opened in 1796, four years after Pinel had unchained the Maniacs of the Bicetre. For several years but few patients were admitted, but the success attending their kind treatment, and the notoriety given to the institution, by various publication, made it good impression, and together with the circulation of Pinel's Treatise, translated by Dr. Davis, and published in 1806, had the effect to introduce a milder and better system of moral treatment into many of the institutions for the insane in England. But while we cheerfully admit that great credit is due to the founders of the York Retreat for their humane exertions in behalf of the insane, and freely acknowledge that vast good resulted to other institutions for their exertions, and particularly from the publication and general circulation of Mr. Tuke's description of the Retreat, published in 1813: -- historical accuracy will not allow us to say, that they originated what may be called the rational, humane and modem system of moral treatment of the insane.

In this country, the system of Pinel was early introduced, and among those who were most instrumental in establishing it here, we ought to mention Rush, Wyman and Todd.

Dr. Rush was a man of great benevolence as well as great intelligence, and in his published writings on insanity, we find many interesting and valuable facts, and also many useful suggestions respecting the moral treatment of the insane. He inculcates the necessity of mild treatment and kind usage; but still, Dr. Rush can not now be considered as a correct guide for us to follow, either as regards the moral or the medical treatment of the insane.

So great is the authority of his name, and so great the influence which his "Observations on Diseases of the Mind," have exercised on the opinions and practice of medical men in this country, that we deem it not improper to briefly notice some suggestions of his respecting the moral treatment of the insane that we deem erroneous. A prevailing error found in his writings on insanity, is, that the insane are to be disciplined and governed, that those who have the care of them must obtain a dominion over them by fear or by other means that we think improper. Thus he says: "the first object of a physician, when he enters the cell or chamber of the deranged patient, should be, to catch his eye, and look him out of countenance." Again he says, "The conduct of a physician to his patients should be uniformly dignified, if he wishes to acquire their obedience and respect. He should never descend to levity in conversing with them. He should hear with silence their rude or witty answers to his questions, and upon no account ever laugh at them, or with them." After attending to various means for making insane persons obedient, he says, "If these prove ineffectual to establish a government over deranged patients, recourse should be had to certain modes of coercion."