The Monthly Review, Or, Literary Journal (Volume 86) (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1818. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... tegrity, he feels indignant at the restrictions to which he is subjected by the late Act of Parliament, and at the apparent degradation which it inflicts on him. He examines minutely all the everal parts of the Bill, objects to the extensive powers that are given to the Commissioners, and endeavours to prove that certain of the duties imposed on them will be very difficult to carry into effect, some indeed absolutely impossible, while others are vague and undefined, and give scope for arbitrary decisions and personal tyranny. He argues that, by the proposed system, the keepers (c)f lunatic establishments will become subjected to a code of penalties and interferences, to which no person of liberal views and of good education will or ought to submit. He insists also forcibly on the absurdity and impropriety of that clause of the Bill which permits the servants, and even the patients themselves, to be received as evidences against the masters; a permission in the highest degree unjust and impolitic, and which must have the effect of materially cramping the exertions of the superintendant, and taking out of his hands that authority which is essential to the due exercise of his professional duties. In several of these remarks, we fully coincide; yet we must also observe that many of the restrictions, which seem severe, are justified by the late disclosures. Some important considerations occur in the latter part of the pamphlet, respecting the comparative success of the English and the French practitioners in insanity. The balance appears to be in favour of the latter; a conclusion which, if it be founded in Fact, we trust, will have the effect of rousing our countrymen to greater exertions. Art. 19. Observations on the Phenomena of Insanity. Being a Supplement .