instruction which may be practicable."* Since, too, spurious remorse is like some other diseases, periodical, its natural intervals and decline should be embraced as the most favourable opportunities for the employment of preventive means. The cure may be assisted by gradually drawing off the mind's attention from the feelings, and engaging it in the more active duties of life, and especially those duties which awaken a rational sense of self-interest. I subjoin below, more at length, the title of a work already quoted, of great value on the general subject.†

ART. IV.-NOTES OF A VISIT TO THE PUBLIC LUNATIC ASYLUMS OF SCOTLAND.

BY JOHN WEBSTER, M.D., F.R.S., AND F.R.C.P.,

Physician to the Scottish Hospital, &c.

IN former numbers of the "Psychological Journal," I communicated an account of various visits made to public asylums for the insane in France, which were repeated during subsequent years, although not published, from entertaining the opinion that, any additional data then collected would have too much resembled previous statements, to make them sufficiently interesting. Last autumn, my sphere of observation was changed. Then I visited Scotland, in order to inspect different institutions for lunatics in that part of the empire: as well to obtain correct information respecting their organization and management, as also to compare these national establishments with asylums of other countries. Believing an outline of my proceedings may prove acceptable, I would therefore remark that six public institutions were examined,—namely, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth, Dundee, Montrose, and Aberdeen: upon each of which I propose giving a brief notice, wherein it will be my object to detail facts, rather than to enunciate opinions, so that readers may thereby be enabled to form their own conclusions, regarding the different establishments thus brought under review.

However, before adverting to any of the institutions abovementioned, some notice of the laws applicable to lunatics in North Britain will not seem inappropriate, especially to members of the medical profession resident in England: many of whom, perhaps, may not be fully cognizant of the legal enactments

* Feuchtersleben, p. 347.

+"Thoughts on the Value of the Feelings in Religion," by Joachim Spalding, a Dignitary of the Consistory of Berlin in the last century. Translated from the German by Arthur B. Evans, A. M., Rector of Colne Rogers, &c. London. 1827,

respecting insane persons, and the administration of asylums throughout Scotland. With the view of enabling psychological jurists to study this important subject more minutely than could be given by any cursory statement on the present occasion, I would observe that the following Acts of Parliament, recently passed in reference to the insane, may be consulted advantageously; since, by these statutes Scottish lunatic establishments, or madhouses, according to parliamentary phraseology— but which improper designation ought to be revised-are now regulated: whilst "fatuous or furious persons, or lunatics," are taken care of and treated throughout the country. The Acts now referred to are,-1st, the 55th of George III., cap. 69; 2nd, the 9th of George IV., cap. 34; and 3rd, the 4th and 5th of Victoria, cap. 60, each of which will repay perusal.

Considering it unnecessary to discuss at any length the various clauses of the above enactments, I would for the present observe that, no person can be received into any public hospital or asylum for the insane in Scotland, without a warrant from the sheriff of the county, or his substitute: upon the petition of some relative or friend of the lunatic, which specifically states the party named therein "is in such a state of mental derangement as to require treatment in a lunatic asylum." This document must be accompanied by the certificate of some legally-qualified medical practitioner, who declares, on soul and conscience, that, to the best of his belief and knowledge, the patient designated is insane, and a proper person for admission. Where no legally-qualified medical practitioner can be procured to put his name to the required certificate, it will then be sufficient if signed by any medical man of character whom the sheriff may think proper to employ: not being the medical officer of the asylum to which it is proposed to send the lunatic.

Such are the chief formalities, requisite prior to the reception of a lunatic patient into any licensed house; but in reference to private individuals who take charge of single maniacs, it is enacted by the 9th of George IV., that no person shall receive into his exclusive care and maintenance, except a relative, any one insane patient, without first having an order, and certificate signed by two medical practitioners: a copy of which the party receiving such single lunatic must transmit to the sheriff of the county in which he resides, within five days after the party's reception, accompanied by a statement correctly designating the parish wherein the house is situated, and also the name of its occupier. Afterwards, annually, on or within seven days of the 1st of January, a certificate must be transmitted to the sheriff, signed by two physicians or surgeons, describing the then state of such insane person; and lastly, should the party die, or be

removed elsewhere, these events must be forthwith notified to the sheriff. Besides the above essential formalities, any individual incurs a penalty of 50l. who receives into his house an insane person contrary to this enactment.

Although the clauses now specified embody the principal regulations respecting lunatic asylums, nevertheless, believing some readers of this paper might desire to possess more precise knowledge respecting the law generally, in Scotland, with reference to lunatics, particularly those who have not the Acts above quoted, or any legal publication upon the subject in their library, even at the risk of being reckoned tedious, I would subjoin the following additional remarks upon the subject: only premising, if more agreeable, the next nine paragraphs may be passed over as supererogation.

According to the several statutes previously mentioned, no one can, under a penalty of 2007. and expenses, keep an asylum for lunatics, without a licence from the sheriff of the county or his substitute, which must be renewed yearly: a certain sum being charged upon every mad person therein specified, both for the first granting, and each annual subsequent renewal of the licence. Further, all sums so received form part of the rogue money of the county, as ordered by fiat of Parliament. The last regulation seems, to say the least, a most extraordinary application of monies thus obtained. It looks as if classing the insane actually with rogues: or, like ancient proceedings, when lunatics were consigned to prisons, and there treated the same as vagabonds or criminals. Of this kind, examples were formerly too frequent: although, thanks to the present enlightened views entertained by all classes, such harsh treatment is now repudiated, and a more humane mode is happily pursued, almost universally. reality having been acquired, even the semblance of connecting asylums with law-breakers, in any way, should be avoided; and therefore, making the proceeds obtained from granting licences to institutions for the insane form part of such a fund as county rogue money, is most objectionable, and ought to be altered forthwith.

This

Besides being invested with other official functions, as already stated, sheriffs are directed to use all means for ascertaining whether persons placed in asylums ought to be detained therein, and to make such order for the lunatic's care, or confinement, or liberation, as circumstances require. They may also commit vagrant maniacs. Again, no person can be admitted into any institution for the insane, without a sheriff's order; whilst every individual receiving a lunatic into his house, to be treated or confined, without such authority or licence, forfeits 200l. and

expenses, toties quoties. Further, every medical practitioner giving a certificate of lunacy, without having taken proper means for ascertaining the fact, forfeits 50l. and expenses. Lastly, asylums are inspected twice a year; once by the sheriff or his substitute, and once by the sheriff in person, with such medical man, or others, as he thinks should accompany him on that

occasion.

Various books or registers ought to be kept in every licensed house, which must be produced to the inspectors, who insert the date of their inspection, together with any observations they deem expedient. The sheriff may recal any licence upon a report of two authorized inspectors. He can likewise make fitting rules for the management of asylums, and enforce the same with penalties, not exceeding 10l. for each offence. Houses of reception having 100 patients must have a resident physician or surgeon, or if the institution contains fewer inmates, unless kept by a physician or surgeon, it must be visited twice weekly by a qualified medical practitioner. Such visiting or resident physicians or surgeons being directed to make reports to the keeper, as he is termed at present, and once weekly to enter their remarks, signed, in a register, according to forms given in the schedule, which must be afterwards exhibited to the inspectors. An account of all monies received from asylums, and expenses incurred, is transmitted by the sheriff to the County Commissioners of Supply; besides which, he must also send a statement of the number of asylums in his county, and of the names, amount, and description of persons therein confined, to the Clerk of the High Court of Justiciary, as also to the College of Physicians at Edinburgh.

Inspectors of asylums are elected by the College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons in Glasgow: each of these bodies appointing, annually, four of their ordinary resident members to that office. From amongst these, the sheriffs of Mid-Lothian and Lanark may employ any of the so elected gentlemen, within their respective jurisdictions. In other counties, sheriffs can choose for inspectors any physician qualified to make such inspection, unless local or other circumstances render that proceeding inexpedient. Justices of the peace may also appoint, at the Michaelmas quarter sessions, three of their number to visit and inspect any private or public asylum within their own county, and to report annually "thereanent." Ministers are also empowered, with written consent of the sheriff, to visit madhouses within their parishes: although the keeper may refuse them admission, if he thinks such visit would be prejudicial to the patients; but he must always enter this refusal, and its cause, in the register. In addition to the above

regulations, provision is likewise made for the procurator-fiscal of the county to enforce the acts now existing, and to recover all penalties incurred by parties contravening the law: which sums, like those received for licences, form part of the Rogue money!

The above constitute the principal laws in reference to institutions for the insane, and the admission or confinement of lunatics therein. Other minor regulations might be mentioned, but it is considered unnecessary. Nevertheless, before proceeding with my Notes respecting the present condition of public asylums in Scotland, I must beg permission to add to previous legal observations, that there are various degrees of aberration of intellect recognised by lawyers in North Britain. These may be divided into two classes. The first comprehends every person who is, in judicial language, fatuous, and naturally an idiot, or furious mad, and a lunatic; or whose external senses are so imperfectly organized, as to render the party implicated totally unfit to undertake and superintend the independent management of him or herself, or affairs. The other division. includes those persons who, although not so devoid of reason as to be absolutely incapable of acting for themselves in the minor affairs of life, are yet, from imbecility or weakness of judgment, considered by the law fit subjects for a limited degree of restraint in matters of importance. The remedy in the former case, is to place the fatuous or furious person under permanent and unlimited "curatory." The proceeding in the latter example being "interdiction," as it is denominated; by which lavish and facile individuals are disabled from signing any deed to their prejudice, without the previous consent of their appointed interdictors.

To enter into any lengthened discussion respecting the above forensic questions, would be rather incompatible with the chief purpose aimed at in the present communication, therefore I will only now briefly observe, when thus bringing several important features characterizing the lunacy laws of Scotland, before readers of the "Psychological Journal," that one of the objects proposed, among others, was to notice briefly a procedure in that portion of Great Britain, which has many recommendatory reasons for its adoption, from being applicable to individuals not certainly altogether sane, but yet quite incompetent to manage their own affairs without some control. Interdiction here adverted to becomes truly a kind of mézzo termine, as it might almost be called; or, something like that peculiar issue designated in the criminal law of Scotland, a "non proven verdict.' Upon the above legal proceeding, prevalent North of the Tweed, in reference to imbecile persons, one or two observations seem advisable, with a view to induce subsequent discussion by legists and psychological physicians.