Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital Order and Commitment Books
Statement on Language
Some content in this finding aid may contain offensive terminology. For more information on why this language is occasionally retained, see: New York State Archives Statement on Harmful Language in Descriptive Resources.
Overview of the Records
Repository
- New York State Archives
222 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12230
Summary
- This series consists of certificates of lunacy, medical certificates, forms, petitions, and case histories documenting the process used to commit people to the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital. Early commitment orders include name, case number, address or residence, occupation, and by whom brought. The physician's certificates include a brief statement of symptoms. Indigent patients are noted. Name indexes appear at the front of each volume. There is no information for 1890-1892. Records are restricted.
Title
- Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital order and commitment books
Quantity
- 2.5 cubic feet; 5 volumes
Inclusive Dates
Series Number
- B1753
Creator
Arrangement
Chronological.
Scope and Content Note
This series consists of certificates of lunacy, medical certificates, forms, petitions, and case histories which document the process used to commit people for care at the Middletown State Homeopathic Hospital. These formats are bound-in with printed forms. Information included varies over time. The earliest commitment orders contain the following information: name, case number, address or residence, occupation, and by whom brought. Formal orders of commitment are signed by two physicians and, if a patient is indigent, the Superintendent of the Poor.
The volumes usually contain handwritten transcriptions of the physician's Certificate of Lunacy. Certificates include a brief statement of symptoms. Around 1892, format changes slightly; Certificates of Lunacy refer to numbered questionnaires which can be found in the Hospital's published reports. Name indexes can be found at the front of each volume. Indigent patients are noted in red pen or in a separate section at the rear of volumes. Volumes 4 and 5 (1890 -1892) are missing.
Other Finding Aids
Name indexes are included at the front of each volume
Volume list is available at the repository.
Custodial History
This series was transferred from the Middletown Psychiatric Center to the State Archives in June 2000 and accessioned in January 2001.
Access Restrictions
Restricted in accordance with Mental Hygiene Law, Section 33.13, relating to confidentiality of clinical records. Access is permitted under certain conditions upon approval by the Office of Mental Health.
Access Terms
Corporate Name(s)
- New York (State). Office of Mental Health
- Middletown Psychiatric Center (N.Y.)
- New York (State). Department of Mental Hygiene
Geographic Name(s)
Subject(s)
- Mentally ill--Commitment and detention--New York (State)
- Insanity (Law)--New York (State)
- Mental health facilities--Admission and discharge--New York (State)