Details
TUKE, Samuel (1784-1857). Description of the Retreat, an Institution near York, for Insane Persons of the Society of Friends, Containing an Account of the Origin and Progress, the Modes of Treatment, and a Statement of Cases. York: W. Alexander...1813.
4o (285 x 230mm). Engraved frontispiece view of the Retreat (a bit foxed) and 2 engraved floor plans. Original drab boards, later manuscript spine label, uncut (skilfully rebacked, small crack in front outer joint, fore-corners worn, offset on title-page). Provenance: Jean tienne Dominique Esquirol (1772-1840), a founder of the French school of psychiatry, with his inscription (partially effaced) on front cover: "[...] Esquirol [...]/de la Salpetrire a Paris."
FIRST EDITION, large paper ("quarto") issue. "The first detailed account of the methods and results of a mild, humane system as practiced at an institution established expressly to carry out such treatment. The Retreat, a Quaker asylum, was founded as a 'noble experiment' in 1791 by Tuke's grandfather William...In contrast to the notorious closed-door policies of other insane asylums, the Retreat welcomed the observation of its humanitarian methods, the success of which was praised throughout England and the Continent" (Norman). "The pioneer work of the Tukes opened a new chapter in the history of the insane because of the avowed aim to accord them the dignity and status of sick human beings, and to substitute self-restraint based on self-esteem induced by a mild system of management for the debasing and brutalising coercion and restraint of the 'terrific system'..." (Hunter-Macalpine). Garrison-Morton 4925.1; Hunter-Macalpine, pp. 684-690; Norman 2109.
4o (285 x 230mm). Engraved frontispiece view of the Retreat (a bit foxed) and 2 engraved floor plans. Original drab boards, later manuscript spine label, uncut (skilfully rebacked, small crack in front outer joint, fore-corners worn, offset on title-page). Provenance: Jean tienne Dominique Esquirol (1772-1840), a founder of the French school of psychiatry, with his inscription (partially effaced) on front cover: "[...] Esquirol [...]/de la Salpetrire a Paris."
FIRST EDITION, large paper ("quarto") issue. "The first detailed account of the methods and results of a mild, humane system as practiced at an institution established expressly to carry out such treatment. The Retreat, a Quaker asylum, was founded as a 'noble experiment' in 1791 by Tuke's grandfather William...In contrast to the notorious closed-door policies of other insane asylums, the Retreat welcomed the observation of its humanitarian methods, the success of which was praised throughout England and the Continent" (Norman). "The pioneer work of the Tukes opened a new chapter in the history of the insane because of the avowed aim to accord them the dignity and status of sick human beings, and to substitute self-restraint based on self-esteem induced by a mild system of management for the debasing and brutalising coercion and restraint of the 'terrific system'..." (Hunter-Macalpine). Garrison-Morton 4925.1; Hunter-Macalpine, pp. 684-690; Norman 2109.