Abstract
The First World War (1914–18) was a period of dramatic and rapid change for both staff and patients in asylums across the UK. Many British asylums were requisitioned by the army from 1915 for use as wartime hospitals, leading to mass evacuation of over 10,000 patients. Using contemporary resources, this article will review the impact of this and other significant changes that took place in wartime, which included variations in working practices, staff shortages, food rationing and a significant rise in the asylum death rate. Contributing factors will be considered with analysis and discussion of eye-witness, historical, documentary, parliamentary and meteorological evidence.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
