Chapters in the History of the Insane in the British Isles

Hospitals, legislation and changing medical beliefs shape Daniel Hack Tuke's account of mental health care in the British Isles. Published in 1882, the study gives particular attention to Bethlem Hospital and the York Retreat, whose foundation in 1792 Tuke presents as a turning point in patient treatment. His opening chapter examines early remedies alongside religious explanations of illness, showing how medical practice and superstition could mingle.

Later sections follow institutional reform, parliamentary action and developments in Scotland and Ireland. The Broadmoor excerpt describes patient rooms, ventilation and supervision, then considers the practical consequences of separating different patient groups. Tuke's preface explains his choice to emphasize major institutions and periods, including the work at Lincoln and Hanwell. For readers interested in medical and social history, the book connects everyday arrangements for care with the laws and reform efforts that shaped them.