<P> A key figure in the early spread of moral treatment in the United States was Benjamin Rush ( 1745 -- 1813 ) , an eminent physician at Pennsylvania Hospital . He limited his practice to mental illness and developed innovative , humane approaches to treatment . He required that the hospital hire intelligent and sensitive attendants to work closely with patients , reading and talking to them and taking them on regular walks . He also suggested that it would be therapeutic for doctors to give small gifts to their patients every so often . However , Rush 's treatment methods included bloodletting ( bleeding ) , purging , hot and cold baths , mercury , and strapping patients to spinning boards and `` tranquilizer '' chairs . </P>
<P> A key figure in the early spread of moral treatment in the United States was Benjamin Rush ( 1745 -- 1813 ) , an eminent physician at Pennsylvania Hospital . He limited his practice to mental illness and developed innovative , humane approaches to treatment . He required that the hospital hire intelligent and sensitive attendants to work closely with patients , reading and talking to them and taking them on regular walks . He also suggested that it would be therapeutic for doctors to give small gifts to their patients every so often . However , Rush 's treatment methods included bloodletting ( bleeding ) , purging , hot and cold baths , mercury , and strapping patients to spinning boards and `` tranquilizer '' chairs . </P>
who brought the reforms of moral therapy to the us
who brought the reforms of moral therapy to the us
Benjamin Rush ( 1745 -- 1813 ) , an eminent physician at Pennsylvania Hospital
Benjamin Rush ( 1745 -- 1813 ) , an eminent physician at Pennsylvania Hospital