[On the history of one form of social psychiatric care: family care exemplified on the Leipzig-Dösen asylum].

On the basis of archival sources and primary literature the study exemplifies the history of one form of extramural social psychiatric care on the example of one particular institution, the town asylum of Leipzig-Dösen. Family care was introduced in Leipzig in 1904 by Georg Lehmann, primarily as an alternative treatment option. After initial opposition among the local population had been defeated, this form of treatment was soon quite accepted. Due to the socioeconomic changes as a result of World War I, the extent of family care was downsized. From 1940 family care in Dösen was abolished, due to a change in ideology. Part of the patients previously in family care fell victim to the National socialist T-4 programme to murder chronically mental ill. However, this study could also prove that at least one third of these patients survived. It can only be presumed to which extent this was due to their physical work being needed as a result of war shortages.