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The Moral Treatment Of Insanity

Creator: Amariah Brigham (author)
Date: July 1847
Publication: American Journal of Insanity
Source: Available at selected libraries

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53  

But those belonging to this class require great attention they need mental exercise; they should attend school and have their minds awakened into activity, for an hour or two every day. Soon, by this course, their memories will improve; they will become interested in singing or in some particular study, and by perseverance a considerable number will be cured, and many, very many, rendered capable of much enjoyment, and be kept from sinking into a state of hopeless dementia,

54  

Various are the methods that may be adopted to awaken into activity the dormant faculties of the mind and to dispel delusions and melancholy trains of thought. A museum or collection of minerals, shells, pictures, specimens of ancient and modern art and curiosities of all sorts, should be connected with institutions for the insane. The opportunities are abundant for making interesting and valuable collections of this kind by the aid of the patients that have recovered and their friends.

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By means thus indicated Institutions for the care and cure of those affected by mental disorder will be made to resemble those for education, rather than Hospitals for the sick, or prisons for criminals; and when we call to mind that the greater part of those committed to such establishments are not actually sick, and do not require medical treatment, but are suffering from deranged intellect, feelings and passions, it is evident that a judicious course of mental and moral discipline is most essential for their comfort and restoration.

56  

By these remarks we do not however mean to disparage medical treatment as it is in some cases very essential, but we mean to insist upon what we believe to be the fact, that moral treatment including religious instruction and medical advice as to the means of preventing re-attacks, is the most important, and as yet too much neglected; -- that institutions in general have not been constructed and arranged in a manner best adapted for carrying into successful operation a complete system of moral treatment.

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In conclusion we wish to express the hope that increased attention will be given to this subject, and are confident great good will result. When such system as we have briefly indicated or rather hinted at, is judiciously introduced into Asylums with convenient rooms and suitable books and apparatus. We apprehend that trivial and objectionable amusements will be abandoned by the inmates themselves for more rational enjoyments -- enjoyments which while they serve to dispel the darkness and delusions that affect many, will at the same time have the effect to improve their minds and enable them to leave the institution not only rational, but better qualified by increased intelligence and power of self-control for encountering the troubles and performing the duties of life.

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