| Abstract |
Introduction: Ιn Europe already since the middle of 18th century Psychiatry was closely correlated with the imprisonment institutions as main physical environment of mental illness. The presence of asylum during the 19th century with the predominance of “Moral Treatment” demolished the myth of demonism and replaced the exorcisms, the prayers, the processions and the sanctifications by science-based therapeutic methods.
Aim: The aim of the current study is the description of the mental health structures in Greece during the 19th century.
Material- Methods: In the current study anecdotal and archival sources of the Medical History and Medical Ethics Laboratory were used, followed by a literature search of articles and books in greek and national databases with the use of key words in Greek and in English language both separately or in several combinations.
Results: During the beginning of the 19th century in Greece, the role of monasteries and churches - where were used specific practices and therapeutic treatments for mental illness - was significant.
Before the establishment of the Greek Independent State, mental health care in Greece was based on monastery asylums and on the provision of the Greek Hospital of the Ottoman Empire- Chios, Smyrna and greek Hospital of Constantinople.
After the establishment of the Greek State, Psychiatry in Greece was significantly improved as mental health structures -such as the Dromokaitio and the Psychiatric Hospital of Corfu- were created in line with European standards. In addition, the role of provincial asylums was very important and, more specifically, those of
Public Health & Health Care Management
Faculty of Medicine – University of Crete
4
Community asylum of Chios, the Psychiatric Asylum of Cephalonia and the private clinics of mental health care.
Conclusions: The improvement that was observed in Psychiatry until the beginning of the 20th century was remarkable. U.S.A., followed by Europe, had a gradually improvement against the standards of the ignorance, the prejudice and the stigmatization. Greece followed the european models in spite of the unfavorable existing socio-economic circumstances.
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Οι ψυχιατρικές δομές στην Ελλάδα το 19ο αιώνα
