Ancient_and_modern_York_a_guide

MODERN YORK. 143
tution, as well as to avoid the expense of rent and a
librarian's salary, it was made a fundamental rule, that
the hooks should be the property of the trustees of the
hospital; the office of librarian being, with the consent
of the governors of the hospital, annexed to that of housesurgeon.
The library is under the exclusive management
of the subscribers to the hospital; the medical officers
enjoying no privileges distinct from the rest, with regard
to the use or management of the library. Under these
regulations the library has continued nearly thirty years,
and now comprises many of the most valuable standard
medical works, and some of the best and most expensive
anatomical plates.
This society was established in 1832. The meetings are
held at the Dispensary on the evenings of every second
Saturday, from the beginning of October to the end of
April; a paper or some medical subject being read by a
member, and discussed by the society. In connection
with this body is a medical circulating library.
fJorfe Jtunattc 2te»Iuirt.
At the time that this institution was established, (1777)
there were but two institutions for the treatment of the
insane in London, and but two in the provinces of Eng
land; one being at Manchester and the other at Newcastle.
The York Lunatic Asylum was established by the private
subscriptions of benevolent individuals ; and was intended
for the reception of parochial and indigent lunatics ; in
sane persons of the higher classes being likewise admis
sible. The false principles upon which most of our insti
tutions for the treatment of Lunatics were conducted at
the beginning of the present century, appear to have
prevailed here; and in 1813, when Mr. Tuke's description
of the Retreat was published, a controversy was provoked
by the Physician of the Asylum, which led to several