Changing patterns of psychiatric hospitalization in past fifty years: a cohort study.

Nine cohorts of patients admitted between 1919 and 1962 have been followed up until 1971. Comparison has been made in terms of sex and age specific incidences of selected psychiatric disorders throughout the whole period. The results of treatment have been evaluated in terms of discharge and death rates, length of stay, re-admission rates to psychiatric institutions and total period under hospitalization. These data have been compared with those available since the introduction of the statistical system in Victoria in 1961.