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John Galt (c. 1819–1862) was the first superintendent of the Eastern Lunatic Asylum in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was a figure in reform of the mental health system in the United States during the mid-19th century.
He advocated for the "moral" treatment of patients as well as music, occupational and recreational therapy. He also believed that patients could benefit from spending time outside the institution.
Galt was a voluminous writer. He could read several languages and synthesized much European research for the American audience with his 1846 book, The Treatment of Insanity. He was one of the founders of the American Psychological Association. Galt accepted a small number of free black patients during his tenure as superintendent.[1]
He is buried in the Bruton Parish Church in Colonial Williamsburg.
References
edit- ^ Levin, Aaron (January 15, 2019). "APA's 13 Founders Were Dedicated to Specialty Still Trying to Find its Way". Psychiatrics News. doi:10.1176/appi.pn.2019.1b25 – via psychnews.psychiatryonline.org.
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