Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

"Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention" by Henry Putnam Stearns is a scientific exploration of mental health in the late 19th century. This work examines the rising public awareness of insanity, transforming it from a perceived personal flaw into a medical illness. The author highlights society's changing duties toward the mentally ill, advocating for better institutional support due to the failures of outdated treatments. By emphasizing the moral and public health issues linked to growing insanity rates, he calls for a detailed study into the factors that contribute to this increase, particularly appealing to doctors and informed citizens interested in understanding and addressing mental health issues and communal duties.