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The Certification of Insanity: Local Origins and Imperial Consequences

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ISBN :9783031427411 9783031427428
Publisher :Springer Nature Switzerland
Publication Date :November 2023; Copyright: 2023
Language :English
Print Length :329 pages

The Certification of Insanity: Local Origins and Imperial Consequences

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Introduction: Exploring the Global Legacy of Victorian Lunacy Certification

The Certification of Insanity: Local Origins and Imperial Consequences by Filippo Maria Sposini is a groundbreaking exploration into the history and impact of lunacy certification within the British Empire. This comprehensive study delves into the origins of the Victorian system of determining mental unsoundness—a system characterized by standardized forms, independent medical examinations, and documented evidence of insanity. The book traces how this system, initially shaped by the complexities of wealthy Londoners’ clandestine committals, spread across more than seventy colonial and non-colonial jurisdictions by the onset of the Second World War.

Key Features

Systematic Exploration of Lunacy Certification

This book offers the first detailed and systematic study of lunacy certification in the British Empire, focusing on the Victorian system’s development and its widespread adoption. Through legal, archival, and published sources, the author provides a rich historical context for the certification process, examining its intricate mechanisms and far-reaching consequences.

Global and Historical Perspectives

Sposini’s work spans multiple continents and eras, providing a thorough examination of how Victorian lunacy certification influenced mental health laws around the world. Case studies from Europe, the Americas, and the Pacific illustrate the global trajectory of this imperial technology and its lasting impact on mental health policy.

Interdisciplinary Approach

The book engages with various disciplines, including mental health policy, the history of medicine, disability studies, and imperial history. This interdisciplinary approach ensures a broad appeal to scholars and professionals interested in the historical development of mental health certification and its enduring legacy.

Table of Contents (Shortened)

Introduction
- Overview of Lunacy Certification in the British Empire
The Medical Certificate: A Technology of Inspection, Identification, and Expertise
- Mechanisms of Certification in Victorian England
Upon the Following Grounds: The Victorian System of Certification
- Detailed Examination of Certification Practices
Building Expert Certifiers: The Rise of Psychological Physicians
- The Role of Medical Professionals in Lunacy Certification
Facts of Insanity Around the World: Towards an Imperial History of Lunacy Certificates
- Global Adoption and Adaptation of the Victorian Model
A Choreography of Consensus: The Use of Hybrid Templates in Ontario
- Case Study of Lunacy Certification in Ontario
Epilogue
- Reflection on the Legacy of Lunacy Certification

What is the Definition of Insanity?

The definition of insanity has evolved over time and varies by context. Traditionally, insanity refers to a state of severe mental illness where an individual is unable to distinguish reality from fantasy, understand their actions, or conform their behavior to the law. In legal contexts, insanity is often used as a defense to argue that a person should not be held criminally responsible for their actions due to their mental state. However, the term is largely considered outdated in modern psychiatry and has been replaced by more specific diagnoses.