The End of Mechanical Restraint: Nonrestraint in Insane Treatment: Its Emergence and Success

End the routine of restraint with a historic look at humane care Discover how a 19th‑century approach to treating the insane challenged long‑standing practices. This work argues that mechanical restraints can be eliminated in many cases and explores how a well‑run asylum might function without them. Framed around the Lincoln Lunatic Asylum’s experience, the book traces the author’s journey from a bold hypothesis to a demonstrated, if contested, practice. It blends a personal history with public records, showing both the progress made and the resistance faced from colleagues and society. What you’ll experience A case for abolition of restraints based on long‑term observation in an asylum settingA narrative of the obstacles, critics, and eventual shifts in care philosophyAccounts of management details, staffing, and facility design that support humane treatmentAppendices and testimonials that illuminate the debate around restraint and care Ideal for readers of medical history and reforms in mental health care, this edition offers insight into how compassionate, practical changes can transform institutions and lives. Read more