The effects of mental health legislation 1890-1990.

This investigation sought to examine mental health legislation between 1890-1990 and to appraise their effects on the care and social control of the mentally ill. The research activities included the study and analysis of archival documents, Hansard, newspapers and professional journals. The findings show that those who cared for the mentally ill were subjected to the changes brought in by successive mental health legislation. These changes affected the working condition of the "mental nurse", and the social control and rights of the mentally ill person.