Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 February 2018
Since public attention was directed to the mode of treating the insane practised at Gheel, much controversy has taken place both in this country and on the continent as to the value to be attached to the system. Alienists from all parts of the civilised world have visited the locality, and have recorded their opinions of its merits. These opinions have been almost as various as their authors are numerous, and have contained the most enthusiastic praise and the most emphatic condemnation. But the discussion seems now to have reached a point at which a reliable estimate of the chief peculiarities of the system, such as will be concurred in by the majority of those who have studied the subject, may be formed. A letter conveying a very favorable impression of the colony has been addressed to the editors of this Journal by Dr. Edmund Neuschler, of the Royal Lunatic Asylum at Zwiefalten in Wurtemberg, of which I present the following ranslation. I shall afterwards endeavour to indicate what appears to me to be the true view of the question.
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† “Journal of Mental Science” October, 1866.Google Scholar
∗ At the time of my visit half a kilogramme of wheaten bread cost 10 centimes, the same quantity of batcher meat on the average 85 centimes, and of butter 1 franc 30 centimes.Google Scholar
∗ “Les aliénés à l'égard desquels il faut employer avec continuité les moyens de contrainte et de coercition, les aliénés suicides, homicides et incendiaires, ceux dont les évasions auraient été fréquentes ou dont les affections seraient de nature à troubler la tranquillité ou à blesser la décence publique, ne peuvent être reçus dans la colonie.”Google Scholar
∗ “Verhandlungen der psychiatrischen Section in der Naturforscher-Versammlung zu Giesen, September, 1864,” ‘Allgemeine Zeitschrift fur Psychiatrie,’ vol. xxi, Supplement.Google Scholar
∗ “Naturforscher-Versammlung zu Hannover, September, 1865,” ‘Allg. Zeit, f. Psych.’ vol. xxii.Google Scholar
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∗ “Ueber die Leistungen des Gheeler Systems. Auszug aus einem dem Ministerio des Innern unterbreiteten Reiseberichte,” ‘Allg. Zeit. f. Psych.’ vol. xxi.Google Scholar
∗ Loc. cit.Google Scholar
† ‘Appendix to Seventh Report of the General Board of Commissioners in Lunacy for Scotland,’ 1865.Google Scholar
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