1853

Britain replaces Madhouse Act of 1774 with the Lunatic Asylum Act, “to detain and house a bewilderingly diverse range of people. . . . children and adults, violent criminals, epileptics, people with tuberculosis and other diseases, alcoholics and women with menstrual problems.  All the conditions would eventually be the target of eugenic purification in Germany, America and elsewhere” (Rutherford,   55).