United Kingdom In the United Kingdom, provision for the care of the mentally ill began in the early 19th century with a state-led effort. Public mental asylums were established in Britain after the passing of the 1808 County Asylums Act. This empowered magistrates to build rate-supported asylums in every county to house the many "pauper lunatics". Nine counties first applied, and the first public asylum opened in 1812 in Nottinghamshire. Parliamentary Committees were established to investigate abuses at private madhouses like Bethlem Hospital - its officers were eventually dismissed and national attention was focused on the routine use of bars, chains and handcuffs and the filthy conditions in which the inmates lived. However, it was not until 1828 that the newly appointed Commissioners in Lunacy were empowered to license and supervise private asylums.
United Kingdom In the United Kingdom provision for the care of the mentally ill began in the early 19th century with a state-led effort Public mental asylums were established in Britain after the passing of the 1808 County Asylums Act This empowered magistrates to build rate-supported asylums in every county to house the many "pauper lunatics" Nine counties first applied and the first public asylum opened in 1812 in Nottinghamshire Parliamentary Committees were established to investigate abuses at private madhouses like Bethlem Hospital - its officers were eventually dismissed and national attention was focused on the routine use of bars chains and handcuffs and the filthy conditions in which the inmates lived However it was not until 1828 that the newly appointed Commissioners in Lunacy were empowered to license and supervise private asylums