[On Esquirol's historical and statistical study of the royal establishment at Charenton]

The authors present a critical interpretation of an historical and statistical work on the Maison Royal de Charenton by M. Esquirol, three years prior to the publication of his fundamental work: "Des maladies mentales". The three historical periods of life at the Maison Royal de Charenton are described, together with the work carried out under the leadership of Esquirol during the third period. Finally, particular attention is devoted to Esquirol's statistical studies, which are re-examined in the light of present-day statistical methodologies.