200 Years Ago Today 9

Richard Clark, the Chamberlain of the City of London, advised the Committee on Madhouses that the costs of keeping a patient at Bethlem were met by the authorities of the parish in which the patient resided, except in the case of long-stay, so-called "incurable" patients, who had to be supported by their friends or family, as follows: "Parishes and public officers are to pay three guineas for each; and incurables are to pay five pounds deposit, and nine shillings a week, besides their clothing: Those incurables who are sent by poor friends, are to pay the same deposit, and six shillings a week, besides their clothing."