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Psychiatric Institutions of the Past
Image: Straightjacket (pre-1940)
Source: Museum Victoria
Large asylums were established for the collective institutionalisation of the mentally ill in Europe in the 1700s. This included the notorious Bedlam in London, where conditions and treatment of patients were considered severe and brutal.
Psychiatric institutions were first established in Australia in the mid 1800s. Many patients were institutionalised for life. They experienced a variety of illnesses including post-natal depression, schizophrenia, epilepsy, bipolar disorder and dementia.
The 'asylums' were under-resourced, and conditions were crammed and spartan.
With the advent of psychotropic drug treatment and welfare cost-cutting, most large 'asylums' were closed down in the 1980s.
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Pair of Locked Gloves - Black Leather, circa 1900
Leather locked gloves used in mental health hospitals in Victoria Australia circa 1900. They were used on patients to prevent self harm or masturbation which at one stage was considered ...
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Mortar & Pestle - Wedgwood, circa 1900
Mortar and pestle used in a pharmacy at a mental health hospital in Victoria, Australia, circa 1900.
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Plate - Dinner, Enamel, circa 1900
Dinner plate used for patients in a mental health hospital in Victoria Australia circa 1900. Enamel plates were commonly used instead of china ones, as they did not break if dropped or ...
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Apothecary Jars - China, circa 1900
Apothecary jars containing medications from the pharmacy of a mental health hospital in Victoria, Australia, circa 1900. Contain resin ointment for ulcers and sores. Zinc Oxide ointment ...
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Ladle - Soup, Metal, circa 1900
Soup ladle used in a mental health hospital in Victoria Australia circa 1900
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Locked Glove - White Canvas, circa 1910
White canvas locked gloves, circa 1910. Locked gloves were used to prevent patients from harming themselves, but it has been suggested that they were particularly employed to discourage ...
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China Bowl - Lunatic Asylum Victoria, circa 1900
Bowl used ofr severing up meals in a mental health hospital in Victoria Australia circa 1900. Since insignia on bowl simply says "Lunatic Asylum, Victoria" this bowl may be from the fir ...
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Washboard - Metal & Wood, circa 1920
Washboard used for laundry at mental health hospital Mayday Hills, Beechworth, Victoria, Australia, circa 1920
From: Beechworth, Australia Images: 1 -
Soap Cutter - Metal & Wood, circa 1920
Soap cutter used in the laundry of a mental health hospital in Victoria Australia circa 1920. Used to cut long strips of soap into smaller sizes.
From: Beechworth, Australia Images: 1 -
Plate - Metal, circa 1900
Mteal plate used by patients for dining in a mental health hospital Mayday Hills Hospital, formerly Beechworth Lunatic Asylum in Beechworth Victoria Australia circa 1900. Used in ward ( ...
From: Beechworth, Australia Images: 4
