B D Kelly1. 1. Department of Adult Psychiatry, University College Dublin, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, 62/63 Eccles Street, Dublin 7, Ireland. brendankelly35@gmail.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dr William Saunders Hallaran wrote the first Irish textbook of psychiatry in 1810. AIMS: To explore the relevance of Dr Hallaran's textbook: An Enquiry into the Causes producing the Extraordinary Addition to the Number of Insane together with Extended Observations on the Cure of Insanity with Hints as to the Better Management of Public Asylums for Insane Persons. METHODS: This paper uses Dr Hallaran's textbook to explore dominant themes in nineteenth-century psychiatry. RESULTS: Dr Hallaran's approach was characterized by (a) recognition of organic factors in aetiology; (b) concern about apparent increases in mental illness; (c) systematic engagement with causes, courses, outcomes; (d) reconsideration of traditional treatments (venesection, emetics, purgatives); (e) exploration of novel approaches (Dr Cox's Circulating Swing); and (f) re-evaluation of traditional remedies (digitalis, opium, camphor, mercury) and physical treatments (shower baths, diet, exercise). CONCLUSIONS: Many aspects of Dr Hallaran's progressive approach to psychiatric care remain relevant today.
BACKGROUND: Dr William Saunders Hallaran wrote the first Irish textbook of psychiatry in 1810. AIMS: To explore the relevance of Dr Hallaran's textbook: An Enquiry into the Causes producing the Extraordinary Addition to the Number of Insane together with Extended Observations on the Cure of Insanity with Hints as to the Better Management of Public Asylums for Insane Persons. METHODS: This paper uses Dr Hallaran's textbook to explore dominant themes in nineteenth-century psychiatry. RESULTS: Dr Hallaran's approach was characterized by (a) recognition of organic factors in aetiology; (b) concern about apparent increases in mental illness; (c) systematic engagement with causes, courses, outcomes; (d) reconsideration of traditional treatments (venesection, emetics, purgatives); (e) exploration of novel approaches (Dr Cox's Circulating Swing); and (f) re-evaluation of traditional remedies (digitalis, opium, camphor, mercury) and physical treatments (shower baths, diet, exercise). CONCLUSIONS: Many aspects of Dr Hallaran's progressive approach to psychiatric care remain relevant today.
Authors: Lotta Winter; Tillmann H C Kruger; Jean Laurens; Harald Engler; Manfred Schedlowski; Dominik Straumann; M Axel Wollmer Journal: Front Psychol Date: 2012-11-20
Authors: Lotta Winter; M Axel Wollmer; Jean Laurens; Dominik Straumann; Tillmann H C Kruger Journal: Front Psychiatry Date: 2013-10-15 Impact factor: 4.157