Abstract:

Abstract enThere are many books and articles written by Mazhar Osman (Uzman), the first and the most renowned figure in the field of modern psychiatry and mental health in Turkey. The 22-page pamphlet with the title Bimarhanelerin İdaresi Hakkında Nesâyih (Advices on the Management of Mental Asylums) is one of the less known works of the author. The pamphlet, published in 1914 by the General Directorate of Health, includes valuable information, findings and notices about the psychiatric paradigms of the time, management of mental asylums and care of the patients. There were serious problems in the management and patient care of the most important three mental asylums in the Ottoman Empire, namely Toptaşı, Edirne and Manisa mental asylums. Daily newspapers addressed some of these problems. Mazhar Osman wrote this pamphlet and criticized the management of Toptaşı Mental Asylum in a period when he wished to become its headphysician. His critique and advices can better be discussed in this historical context. Things to do for a better management and care of patients were listed as 39 articles in the pamphlet. The aim of this article is to introduce, examine, and discuss this original and unstudied text, Advices on the Management of Mental Asylums, in light of other primary and secondary sources.

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