Quotes · Quote card
Quotation from St. Dymphna and the Geel Colony by Pierre of Cambrai; Geel tradition
“The insane are treated in a peculiar manner; it is only in the beginning that they are placed in an institution for observation; later they are given shelter in the homes of the inhabitants, take part in their agricultural labours, and are treated very kindly”
St. Dymphna and the Geel Colony, Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Dymphna, trans. Public-domain English article (1909)
The description captures the household-care structure that made Geel central to psychiatric history.
Citation: "The insane are treated in a peculiar manner; it is only in the beginning that they are placed in an institution for observation; later they are given shelter in the homes of the inhabitants, take part in their agricultural labours, and are treated very kindly" — Pierre of Cambrai; Geel tradition, St. Dymphna and the Geel Colony, Catholic Encyclopedia, St. Dymphna, trans. Public-domain English article (1909). (id st-dymphna-and-geel-q3)
Portrait: The beheading of Saint Dymphna, Godfried Maes, Public domain.
