The Doctor and the Madmen

Type of resource
Author/collaborator
Title
The Doctor and the Madmen
Abstract
In 1826, when it was discovered that he was digging up corpses from fresh graves for use in his surgery and anatomy classes at a New York medical college, James Douglas (1800-1886) and his family fled to Canada. He soon established a reputation as one of Lower Canada’s most skilled physicians and as an innovator in public health, vaccination and medical education. In 1845, charged with the responsibility for the insane, he established the Beauport Asylum in Quebec City. The author claims Douglas rescued some two hundred mentally ill people from prison basements, isolated quarters and being chained to the floor of some institutions. He cared for his patients with sanitation, fresh air, recreation and a healthy and disciplined life.
Publication
The Beaver
Volume
Vol. 82
Issue
no. 3
Pages
27-32
Date
June/July 2002
Language
en
Citation
Blair, Louisa. “The Doctor and the Madmen.” The Beaver Vol. 82, no. 3 (July 2002): 27–32.
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