Past Caring: The History of Bethlem

‘It was handed down to me by my father, and I do not know any better practice …’ So did Thomas Monro, superintendent physician, defend Bethlem’s treatment of bleeding and purging when he was called before the parliamentary enquiry of 1815. Times and attitudes were changing however. From being a byword for chaos and disorder, Bethlem became much more forward looking, moving away from mechanical restraint and introducing a new treatment programme based on routine, occupation and an improved environment. Caroline Smith takes a look at the main features and changes in the hospital’s long history of caring for the mentally ill.

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