Note 19 — Chapter XXIV · CONOLLY, MAUDSLEY, AND MENTAL DISEASES.

For a description of the state of Bethlem Hospital in 1815, see Conolly’s work above cited, pp. 26-29. In making this record Conolly says, “Nothing can more forcibly illustrate the hardening effect of being habitual witnesses of cruelty, and the process which the heart of man undergoes when allowed to exercise irresponsible power. Partly from custom, and partly from indifference, and partly from fear, even physicians not particularly chargeable with inhumanity used formerly to see patients in every form of irritating restraint, and leave them as they found them. Such facts justify the extremest jealousy of admitting the slightest occasional appliance of mechanical restraints in any asylum. Once admitted, under whatever pretext, and every abuse will follow in time.”