Private psychiatric care in the past: With special reference to Chennai.

The 'madhouse' managed by Connolly and Dalton, situated in Chennai, prior to the opening of the Madras Lunatic Asylum in 1871 is described. The status of the private madhouses of England that existed before the county asylums were established in 1845 is briefly touched upon. A legitimate criticism of the shortcomings of this system along with the need for reorganization was forcibly brought by writers such as Defoe and others. Their suggestions find a place in subsequent mental health legislations. The legislation covering these aspects incorporated in the Mental Health Act 1987 form the basis for the licensing of our private mental health care centres.