Madness and industrial society : a study of the origins and early growth of the organisation of insanity in nineteenth century Scotland c.1830-70
Nineteenth century Scottish asylum records show that crude admission rates were increasing annually. Nevertheless, when these data are expressed as a percentage of the general population, they lose much of their statistical significance. Moreover, the statistics reveal that, on balance, the prevalence of insanity was greater in densely populated regions, that the female insane outnumbered the males, and the paupers constituted the bulk of the lunatic population. The material consulted however only reveals part of the picture, as a large percentage of the insane remained unknown to the officials. But despite contemporary evaluation, the figures-were a distinct source of anxiety to nineteenth century administrators. As a result, Victorian Scotland, as elsewhere, witnessed a trend towards institutionalising lunacy. Nevertheless, there were aspects of this process which were distinctive to Scotland. Although the major reform process took place in 1857, at a time when Scotland had eme rged as a mature, industrial society, the beginnings of tentative, unco-ordinated attempts to remedy this particular social problem were correlative with, rather than a result of, industrialisation. Moreover, local philanthropy, was
Rice, Francis J.
History
Madness and industrial society : a study of the origins and early growth of the organisation of insanity in nineteenth century Scotland c.1830-70. Nineteenth century Scottish asylum records show that crude admission rates were increasing annually. Nevertheless, when these data are expressed as a percentage of the general population, they lose much of their statistical significance. Moreover, the statistics reveal that, on balance, the prevalence of insanity was greater in densely populated regions, that the female insane outnumbered the males, and the paupers constituted the bulk of the lunatic population. The material consulted however only reveals part of the picture, as a large percentage of the insane remained unknown to the officials. But despite contemporary evaluation, the figures-were a distinct source of anxiety to nineteenth century administrators. As a result, Victorian Scotland, as elsewhere, witnessed a trend towards institutionalising lunacy. Nevertheless, there were aspects of this process which were distinctive to Scotland. Although the major reform process took place in 1857, at a time when Scotland had eme rged as a mature, industrial society, the beginnings of tentative, unco-ordinated attempts to remedy this particular social problem were correlative with, rather than a result of, industrialisation. Moreover, local philanthropy, was
madness industrial_society study origins early growth organisation insanity scotland scottish asylum record show crude admission rate increase nevertheless data express percentage general_population lose much statistical significance moreover statistic reveal balance prevalence insanity great densely populated region female insane male pauper constitute bulk population material consult however reveals part picture large percentage insane remain unknown official despite contemporary evaluation figures distinct source anxiety administrator victorian scotland elsewhere witness trend_towards institutionalise lunacy nevertheless aspect process distinctive scotland although major reform process take_place time scotland mature industrial_society beginning tentative ordinated attempt_remedy particular social problem correlative rather industrialisation moreover local philanthropy