ROYS.1 C,orniniSsion 'on Limacy W on Witnesses and to take
their eiridenee on oath. The words of the resolu: • tion are worth. quoting in full because they show how thorough is to be the investigation into our extraordinary system of dealing 'with lunatics, the public_ and private dangers occasioned by that system, and the infringe- ments of personal liberty, amazing but-possibly inevitable, which have-grown up -in this country:- may he neces- sary to give two physicians, neither of whom is required to have any /official position, i.e., is under any public control, powers analogous to those of the lettres de cachet, and further, to enable members _of the medical profession to. keep private _Bastilles, but unquestionably the system needs justification. Here are the words of the resolu- tion :- " It is expedient that.a tribunal be established for inquiring into the existing law and administrative machinery in England and Wales in -connexion with the certification, detention, and care of .peisons who are, -or are alleged to be, of unsound mind ; and the extent to which provision is or should- be made. in England and WaleS for the -treatment without certification of persons suffering from mental disorder."
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