Psychiatry for the Rich: A History of Ticehurst Private Asylum 1792-1917

by Charlotte MacKenzie

Overview

The madhouse often figures prominently in popular conceptions of the nineteenth century, yet little is known about the realities of private institutions. In Psychiatry for the Rich, Charlotte MacKenzie examines the history of the asylum at Ticehurst in Sussex to explore the social history of madness and the impact of politics and popular opinion. She details the backgrounds of the patients, their own descriptions of the asylum as well as changes in the institution through the lunacy reforms and developments in medical theory.
Challenging many of the accepted views of the Victorian asylum, Money, Medicine and Madness is the most revealing account of the trade in lunacy in the nineteenth century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415088916
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	02/25/1993
Series:	Wellcome Institute Series in the History
Pages:	248
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Introduction; Chapter 1 The commercialization of care; Chapter 2 Starting a family business; Chapter 3 The asylum and moral reform; Chapter 4 Madness and the Victorian family; Chapter 5 Mid-Victorian prosperity; Chapter 6 The fourth generation; Chapter 7 The protection of private care; Conclusion; Bibliography Index;

Editorial Reviews

Through a detailed history of the asylum at Ticehurst in Sussex, England, MacKenzie explores the social history of madness and wealthy Victorian families. She details the backgrounds of the patients and their own descriptions of the asylum as well as changes in the institution through lunacy reforms and developments in medical theory. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

‘The work is carefully argued, lucidly presented and very well illustrated. It... furnishes a convincing example of the value of historical scholarship applied to a medical topic.' - Psychological Medicine

‘This is an absorbing book and a scholarly account of the history of a small private asylum. I recommend the book without reservation to those with an interest in medical history, whether psychiatrists or not.' - The Lancet

From the Publisher