The Norfolk Lunatic Asylum opened in 1814 as a pioneer county pauper institution and in 1998 St Andrew's featured among the last of the large psychiatric hospital closures. This history of one particular place for -madness- covers changing approaches to insanity and treatments over two centuries. It draws extensively upon archival sources to examine the use of buildings and environments; the regimes of long-serving masters, superintendents and medical superintendents; the patients' own experiences; and the rationales, including cultural and gender issues, which informed therapies,...

This book summarizes the development of medical and hospital services in Britain before the Second World War, providing an outline description and reviewing the contributions of other writers in this area. Combining thematic and chronological treatments, the author considers health and mortality trends, service provision and the issues in professional reform, and highlights areas of social need. The book will be invaluable to students and teachers seeking a summary of the subject and a guide to further reading.

This book summarizes the development of medical and hospital services in Britain before the Second World War, providing an outline description and reviewing the contributions of other writers in this area. Combining thematic and chronological treatments, the author considers health and mortality trends, service provision and the issues in professional reform, and highlights areas of social need. The book will be invaluable to students and teachers seeking a summary of the subject and a guide to further reading.