Beginnings of the Convalescence mental hospital: first social answer to the alienation. Buenos Aires 1700-1854

Abstract

Looking forward at the beginnings of the XIX century, getting out of the colonial period and with few years as an Independent State, the sanitary was still an unsettled subject with lot of deficits. The quantities of Institutions were poor and under control of religious groups. The mental health was seen just as an attached part of something else but all the changes in the psychiatry were coming. At the Rivadavia’s government, the idea comes from, and during 1854 was founded “El Hospicio de la Convalecencia” (or women specialized mental institution) by the “Sociedad de Damas de la Beneficencia” (Ladies Charity Society) and the “Sociedad Filantrópica” (Philanthropic Society); at that times new treatments and solutions appeared and from now on the mental diseases would have an specialized place with different and permanents Doctor controls bringing a great social solution.