and the treatment of mental illhealth

Brislington House was almost the first purpose built private asylum. Dr. Edward Long Fox, a Quaker physician at Castle Green and surgeon at Bristol Royal Infirmary, purchased it in 1799 and by 1804 had turned it into an asylum for the insane, where 'new' treatments were used.

It was said that the patients were ‘tranquil without coercion’. They practised regular simple habits, took efficacious cold and warm baths, bodily exercise and mental recreation. There were agricultural and horticultural pursuits, music, a library and regular Church of England services took place in spite of Dr.Fox’s strict Quaker beliefs.

This humane ‘non restraint’ system contrasted with previous ‘barbaric and cruel’ treatment of the insane. In 1811 he was summoned to discuss the treatment of George III who was said to be ‘mad’, but to no avail.

His father, Joseph had inadvertantly profited from privateering during a war with France. Edward’s fine principles ensured that all the money gained was returned to those who had suffered.

Several Fox descendants who were physicians succeeded him, the last one dying in 1947. Brislington House was sold in 1951 and became a Nurses’ Home, a Nursing Home and has now, in the 21st. Century, been converted into luxury flats and renamed Long Fox Manor'.

It is exactly 200 years, this year, since the first Dr. Fox helped mentally ill patients at Brislington House, using his new alternative method.