The Manufacture of Madness: A Comparative Study of the Inquisition and the Mental Health Movement

Szasz, Thomas S.

ISBN 10: 071007221X / ISBN 13: 9780710072214

Published by Routledge and Kegan Paul, London, 1972

About this Item

xxvii+383pp., Colour illustrated dustjacket with hint of rubbing to upper spine-end and light tanning inside jacket- covered in removable protective clear plastic, orig. black cloth boards with gilt text to spine, hint of flecking to top edge of textblock, ack., preface by author, intro., epilogue, appends., ref., bibliog., index. In his account Dr Szasz draws striking parallels between methods of identifying, authenticating and punishing witches and modern psychiatric practices. He discusses society's approach to 'masturbatory insanity' and homosexuality, and looks at cases of medical persecution on the basis of political belief, race, religion and economic status. Size: Octavo.

Seller Inventory # 004934

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Manufacture of Madness: A Comparative Study of the Inquisition and the Mental Health Movement
• Publisher: Routledge and Kegan Paul, London
• Publication Date: 1972
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 071007221X
• ISBN 13: 9780710072214
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: Reprinted.
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine
• Book Type: Book

About this title

Synopsis

In this seminal work, Dr. Szasz examines the similarities between the Inquisition and institutional psychiatry. His purpose is to show "that the belief in mental illness and the social actions to which it leads have the same moral implications and political consequences as had the belief in witchcraft and the social actions to which it led."