Hello anyquestions-ga,
I am posting this as a comment since I was not able to find the exact
information you require as it may interest you.
Although straitjacket is the most common form, strait-jacket is also
frequently used, and, in England, strait-waistcoat.
http://www.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?search=straitjacket&go=Go
There is mention of the strait waistcoat in the following book dated
1791:
FIRST LINES OF THE PRACTICE OF PHYSIC.
By William Cullen, M.D., late Professor of the Practice of Physic in
he University of Edinburgh, 1791. Date of Preface, 1783.
“ Mania.-Restraint calms passion: strait waistcoast best; should never
be in a horizontal position. Confinement, and as great a freedom as
possible, from all objects of sight and sound. Fear. Low diet. Blood
should be drawn from the arm "ad deliquium animi," except where the
disease has subsisted for some time. Where there is a frequency, or
even fulness ofthe pulse, or any marks of an increased impetus of the
blood in the vessels of the head, blood-letting is a proper, and even
a necessary remedy. Cooling laxatives, particularly tartrate of
potassa, which he also recommends in melancholia. No experience in
vomiting. Blisters, in recent cases, induce sleep; in old, of no
service. Cold water to head; warm bathing rather hurtful. In some
cases, as producing collapse of nervous excitement, used opium in
large doses with success, and sleep was induced; in others, fear of
inflammation, and the doubt, as depending on organic lesion, whether
it would not be superfluous, caused him "not to push this remedy to
the extent that might be neceseary to make an entire cure." Camphor
inefficacious. Recommends labour, from theory; journeys, from
experience.”
http://sj.blacksteel.com/media/mental/p12.html
The inventor of the straitjacket had long thought to be the American,
Dr Benjamin Rush. However, correspondence describing the use of the
restraint has been discovered that pushes the invention date back to
the early 1700s.
http://groups.google.com/groups?q=strait-waistcoat&hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&selm=331487b6.9816360%40nntp.ix.netcom.com&rnum=7
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary dates the straitjacket to 1814:
Main Entry: strait-jacket
Function: noun
Date: 1814
1 : a cover or overgarment of strong material (as canvas) used to bind
the body and especially the arms closely in restraining a violent
prisoner or patient
2 : something that restricts or confines like a straitjacket
http://www.m-w.com
Dr. Benjamin Rush is cited here to have invented the straitjacket and
the tranquilizer chair.
"Terror acts powerfully upon the body through the medium of the mind
and should be employed in the cure of madness. Fear accompanied with
pain and the sense of shame has sometimes cured the disease". That was
written almost two centuries ago in 1818 by Dr. Benjamin Rush, father
of American psychiatry, and the first president of the APA, whose face
still appears on the official seal of the American Psychiatric
Association. Dr. Rush advocated and practiced terror by designing and
using the straitjacket, the tranquilizer chair and "fear of death" on
numerous inmates in 19th century lunatic asylums.”
http://www.antipsychiatry.org/weitz2.htm
From Medscape:
History of Institutionalization/Treatment
The Age of Asylums
“In 1845, Esquirol reported on the inhumane aspects of the asylum
environment: "If the patient's violence is extreme, he is fastened
onto his bed and his movements are brought under control with a
straitjacket....How many manic patients have become paralyzed through
being fastened too long on their bed or in an armchair."
http://216.239.57.100/search?q=cache:hH6Fhad7mJUJ:www.medscape.com/viewarticle/418882_6+history+++%22straitjacket%22+mental&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
MEDICAL INQUIRIES AND OBSERVATIONS UPON THE DISEASES OF THE MIND.
By Benjamin Rush, M.D.,
Professor of the Institutes and Practice of Medicine, and of Clinical
Practice in the University of Pennsylvania.
Fourth Edition. 1830. Date of Preface 1812.
Here is a short excerpt:
“MANIA in the first stage, if caused by study, requires separation
from books. Low diet, and a few gentle doses of purging physic : if
pulse tense, ten or twelve ounces of blood. In the high grade, catch
the patient's eye and look him out of countenance. Be always
dignified. Never laugh at or with them. Be truthful. Meet them with
respect. Act kindly towards them in their presence. If these measures
fail, coercion is necessary. Tranquillizing chair. Strait waistcoat.
Pour cold water down their sleeves.”
http://sj.blacksteel.com/media/mental/p81.html
If you find this information helpful I will gladly post it as the
official answer.
Best regards,
Bobbie7-ga |
