The Public Madness in Salzburg

This paper provides an overview of the historical development of hospice care in the field of mental illness in Salzburg. Various asylums in the city of Salzburg are examined beginning in the 15th century and continuing into the 20th century. The most important institutions such as the Bruderhof in Linzergasse the Kammerlohrhof in Mülln and the Landesnervenheilanstalt in Lehen are examined in detail. Likewise an Austria-wide comparison is made with the most important insane asylums in the country. In addition there is a brief biography of Franz Valentin Zillner probably the best-known director of an insane asylum as well as an overview of the treatment of mental illness beginning in antiquity. The heart of this work however is a source work which deals with the Salzburg insane asylum files located in the provincial archives of the city.