DELUSIONS IN CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS ADMITTED TO BETHLEM-ROYAL-HOSPITAL IN THE 19TH-CENTURY

The case notes of 1069 children and teenagers admitted to Bethlem Roya l Hospital ('Bedlam') in the 19th century were analysed with particula r reference to the frequency and types of delusions. Delusions were pr esent in 700 (65%), among whom there were significantly more boys than girls. There was a statistically significant rise in the frequency of delusions from 1830 to the end of the century. Sixty-six per cent of the patients were discharged cured and, taken overall, the presence of delusions did not affect the prognosis: specifically, delusions did n ot worsen the prognosis in those diagnosed as suffering from mania or melancholia. Nevertheless, the prognosis was worse in boys with single paranoid delusions, or paranoid delusions in combination with auditor y hallucinations of people, and worse for girls with delusions of exal tation in combination with other types of delusions.