Early psychiatry in Western Australia: Dr. Nicholas Langley--a born loser

Dr. Nicholas Langley was the first recorded "psychiatric" patient in Western Australia. His story provides an insight into the difficulty experienced in managing cases of violent behaviour in a small, isolated group without facilities or expertise. Langley recovered from his symptoms, and was accepted into the local community without undue stigma. He practised as a surgeon in Fremantle, and died at the age of 35, from what was apparently a cerebrovascular accident.