jan 1, 1815 - House of Commons Select Committee on Madhouses
Description:
«Following the 1815-16 Select Committee, several attempts were made again to bring about the reform of private madhouses. Three Bills for the regulation of madhouses were rejected by the House of Lords in 1816, 1817 and 1819, after they had passed through the House of Commons. The Bills of 1816, 1817 and 1819 contained proposals for the repeal of the Act of 1774 and the establishment of a central body of full-time Commissioners, who would be responsible for the licensing and visitation of all private madhouses throughout the country. Provisions were made for increasing the safeguards against the improper confinement and maltreatment of lunatics and formal provisions were made also concerning the admission of paupers. Each of these Bills, and in particular that of 1819, would have gone a long way towards the uniform and effective control of madhouses had they reached the Statute-book. A short Act, 59 Geo. III, c. 127, was passed in 1819, 'for making provision for the better care of pauper lunatics in England» (Parry-Jones, 1972, p. 17).
Added to timeline:
Mental Health Legislation (England and Wales)
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