It appears from the view which Dr. Powel gives of the returns made in different years since 1775, that insanity is on the increase in Britain, and that this increase is in great er proportion than that of the progressive population of the country. This fact insist arise from the more exten sive operation of the moral causes of the disorder al ready specified, and others analogous to them, and might suggest to the politician and the moralist matter of import ant reflection.
According to the returns lately furnished, in obedience to the act of parliament, from all the. parishes of Scotland, in number 992, with the exception of 259, the number of insane persons was 3489.
According to these returns, the proportions of the two sexes preponderate towards the females. This circum stance varies in different places. We are informed by Dr. Halliday, who at an early period made extensive inquiries on this subject, by collecting statements from the parishes of Scotland, that the proportion of natural idiots was great est among males, while that of maniacal cases was greatest among females. The parishes from which he obtained statements were 788. In these, the number of idiots going at large was 1976, of whom were males. and 831 females. That of maniacs under restraint was 1676, of whom 727 weremalcs, and 949 females.
The objects of legislative enactment on the subject of in sanity comprise three particulars.
1. The prevention of wrongous confinement on a false plea of insanity. During a relaxed state of the law on this point, such confinement has very frequently been practised by selfish and depraved individuals, for the purpose or ob taining possession of the property of a rich relation. For this purpose false representations have been made to a medical practitioner, and the lure of emolument at the same time held out, and thus a certificate of insanity has been obtained, which was sufficient to authorise the confinement of any individual as a lunatic. Such a power ought not to be vested in any person whose qualifications are not well accredited ; and the certificate of one individual should ne ver he held sufficient to authorize the continuance of a per son in confinement beyond a very few clays. All such cases ought to be speedily reported to a plurality of official men.
This is necessary for ascertaining, to the reasonable satis faction of all parties, whether the insanity is evident ; and cases will sometimes occur that bear a very questionable aspect, and require frequent visits, and the minute observa tion of a sagacious and experienced person, before that point can he determined. On this account facilities should be afforded for obtaining information, from respectable neighbours, of all the previous circumstances that are like ly to throw light on such cases. Wherever motives to un just confinement might be supposed possible, the case should be investigated with particular care. Persons of property, being most liable to cruel imposition in this particular, should be provided with the best legal pro tection.
2. Another object is, to provide for the confinement of all those persons whose mental condition renders that mea sure necessary. On this point, delicacy towards persons who show symptoms of incipient derangement, and towards their friends, requires that much should be left to private discretion. There is no doubt, however, that wandering lunatics ought to be attended to ; that the mischievous should he placed under restraint ; and that, for obvious rea sons, no females in this unfortunate situation should be al lowed to go at large.
S. A third object is, to secure the best treatment to the insane who are placed in confinement. Even those who are really insane, especially persons of superior rank, are Iiable to be treated with studied carelessness from merce nary motives operating upon those in whose charge they are placed, and from the base antipathies or the rapacity of relations. Carelessness, mean resentment, and a brutal disposition to abridge, as much as possible, the business of a receptacle for the insane, have too often been productive of inhu•nan usage towards all descriptions of insane per sons. These evils can only be prevented by an assiduous system of thorough and frequent inspt ction. Much advan tage has arisen from some recent enactments providing for the inspection of such houses. But this inspection, in order to produce the desired effect. ought to be at least weekly, and the inspectors ought to have, without giv ing warning, immediate access to all parts of such esta blishments.