Private Madhouses in England, 16401815

Focusing on the early development of private mental health care in England, the book reveals that commercial involvement in mental health services dates back to the early 19th century. It highlights the prevalence of private 'madhouses' in 1815, where the majority of institutionalized individuals were housed. The text delves into the emergence of these facilities, the profiles of patients and proprietors, evolving treatment practices, and the varying conditions within madhouses, alongside the critiques they faced.