Bedlam
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
This article explains the origin of the word Bedlam as a generic term for an insane asylum, derived from the name of the Bethlehem psychiatric hospital in London. It outlines the historical transition of the institution from a religious brotherhood's dormitory into a hospital for the mentally ill by decree of King Henry VIII in 1547.
Encyclopedia entry (1928–1936)
BEDLAM (an abbreviation of the word Bethlehem), a name that has become a common noun designating an "insane asylum." In reality, Bedlam is a psychiatric hospital in London, converted from the dormitory of the religious brotherhood of "Our Lord of Bethlehem." In 1547, King Henry VIII transferred the dormitory building to the city community of London, which established a facility for the mentally ill within it. The current building of Bedlam was constructed in 1814.
Related articles
Cite this page
“Bedlam.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/bedlam/