THE BLACK INSANE IN THE CAPE, 1891-1920

This paper examines the treatment of the black insane in Cape asylums during the period 1891 to 1920. During this time racial segregation an d differentiated treatment for the white and black insane was consolid ated, The use of racial and cultural difference to justify differences in resources allocated to white and black asylums will be discussed, The use of black patients as an unpaid labour force will be described. Case material will be used to illustrate ways in which perceptions of the black insane affected their treatment. The paper will conclude wi th comments on the discursive construction of black 'insanity' and bla ck 'mentality'.