Mental diseases: a public health problem

This volume brings together a broad survey of mental illness at a time when the field was just beginning to be seen as a public‑health issue. Drawing on the author’s extensive experience in state hospitals and psychiatric associations, it translates a wealth of clinical and statistical data into language that both professionals and interested laypeople can follow. The opening sections explain why understanding the social and economic dimensions of mental disorders matters to everyone, from social workers to judges.

The book is organized into concise chapters that trace the evolution of modern psychiatric institutions, the legislation that shapes their operation, and the emerging mental‑hygiene movement. It also examines the causes of mental disease, the impact of immigration, the link between mental health and criminal responsibility, and the unique challenges posed by wartime psychiatry. Each topic is presented with clear definitions, historical context, and practical implications.

Readers looking for a historic yet accessible overview will find this work a valuable reference for the roots of today’s mental‑health policies. It offers insight into early 20th‑century perspectives that continue to inform contemporary debates about care, prevention, and societal responsibility.