Medicine

General and psychiatric medication were largely

undeveloped at this time so patients would not

have an individual treatment plan based on

drug administration, although sedatives were

sometimes used to promote sleeping or subdue

agitated patients. In addition, the asylum

produced its own treatments for common

ailments such as colds.

Prestwich prided itself on

seldom using restraints

on patients, but surviving

artefacts include examples of

early restraints and special

nightgowns made of heavy-duty

fabric that could not be

torn by agitated patients.