An evaluation of an eccentric : Mathew Allen MD, chemical philosopher, phrenologist, pedagogue and mad-doctor, 1783-1845
This thesis re-evaluates the early nineteenth-century treatment of insanity and evaluates, for the first time, the work amongst the insane of Matthew Allen MD. It is written in the form of a biography, the primary source of which is the unpublished manuscript Memoirs of Oswald Allen held in the York Reference Library. Other relevant documents and letters have been found in the Essex County Record Office and in archives in Lincoln, Northampton, Dundee, York and Holborn. A variety of literary sources in libraries across the country and books which Allen wrote have been used. The thesis is eight chapters in length and divided into four chronological parts. It contributes to the history of psychiatry at an important, but often neglected, period and provides details of a man whose name has been previously known only because of his connection with major literary figures. For the first time information is brought together to reveal his contribution to the treatment of the insane and his involvement with other aspects of culture. He is revealed as a pioneer rather than a genius. He sought for causes of insanity and effective counteractions and showed his increasing belief in psychological over physical causes. He
Faithfull, Pamela
History
An evaluation of an eccentric : Mathew Allen MD, chemical philosopher, phrenologist, pedagogue and mad-doctor, 1783-1845. This thesis re-evaluates the early nineteenth-century treatment of insanity and evaluates, for the first time, the work amongst the insane of Matthew Allen MD. It is written in the form of a biography, the primary source of which is the unpublished manuscript Memoirs of Oswald Allen held in the York Reference Library. Other relevant documents and letters have been found in the Essex County Record Office and in archives in Lincoln, Northampton, Dundee, York and Holborn. A variety of literary sources in libraries across the country and books which Allen wrote have been used. The thesis is eight chapters in length and divided into four chronological parts. It contributes to the history of psychiatry at an important, but often neglected, period and provides details of a man whose name has been previously known only because of his connection with major literary figures. For the first time information is brought together to reveal his contribution to the treatment of the insane and his involvement with other aspects of culture. He is revealed as a pioneer rather than a genius. He sought for causes of insanity and effective counteractions and showed his increasing belief in psychological over physical causes. He
evaluation allen chemical philosopher mad doctor re_evaluates treatment insanity evaluate first_time work amongst insane matthew allen write form biography primary_source unpublished manuscript memoirs allen hold york reference library relevant_document letter find essex county record office archive lincoln dundee york variety literary_source library across_country book allen write use length divide_four chronological part contributes history psychiatry important often_neglect period provide_detail man whose name previously know connection major literary figure first_time information bring_together reveal treatment insane involvement aspects culture reveal pioneer rather genius sought cause insanity effective show_increase belief psychological physical cause