[The law on the insane of June 30, 1838]

The Law of 30th June 1838 for the insane, voted practically unanimously by the two Chambers, made it obligatory for each Dipartement to have an establishment specifically for the treatment of the insane. The Law made lengthy arrangements about admissions--official or voluntary--also the arrangements for the maintenance or the departure of patients placed in these treatment centres. The administrative authorities, and above all the Préfet, as well as the judicial authorities, must regularly visit these establishments, to examine the possible complaints of the patients and to control the application of the Law. The doctors were held responsible for the certificates describing the state of the person and his need to remain in care, or the possibility of his leaving. The protection and the freedom of the individual, which could have been put in jeopardy by committal, was the major preoccupation of the legislators in 1838. The Law of 30th June 1838 has been replaced by that of 27th June 1990 which has kept all the essential measures.