Lancaster Moor Hospital

The Moor Hospital, its Gothic grandeurshaping the city's eastern skyline, has been aplace of curiosity and mystery for generationsof Lancastrians for almost two centuries.Author Gary Bradshaw grew up in Lancasterand trained as a Mental Health Nurse atthe Moor. Upon retirement, he decided todelve into the archives to piece togetherthe story of the hospital, and to put facesto the names of some of those who passedthrough its doors. In the early days, the Asylum adoptedmethods which we find quite shockingtoday, with their brutality and emphasison containment and control, rather thantreatment and cure. But, although we canbe horrified by such practices, they must be seen within their historicalcontext. These were different times, with little insight into the human body and mind. Overthe years, care gradually improved, and for certain periods, Lancaster was even seen as amodel of good practice. This excellent history of the Moor Hospital is set against a background of changing attitudes,developing medical knowledge and pioneering treatments. It is a fascinating and informativeread for everyone.