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.