ABSTRACT
Superintendent, appointed in I8 5 2. For Geoffrey O'Donoghue, Bethlem's Chaplain and author of The History if the Bethlehem Hospital, it was Hood who advanced Bethlem 'from the grub to the chrysalis' and brought it 'into line with more modern sentiments and requirements'.! Hunter and Macalpine have equally seen a 'transformation' at Bethlem from I 8 5 2.2 David Russell believes that under Hood the Hospital experienced a 'golden age', with the new Resident Physician-Superintendent throwing himself energetically into reforming the medical administration and introducing non-restraint.3 Masters agrees. In the I 85 os, 'the outward signs of restraint disappeared, bowls, skittles and other games were introduced' and parties were held.4 In I947, Duncan Whittaker, Bethlem's assistant physician, felt that even in the I940S the medical system was a direct continuation from the I850S. Hood's name and achievement lived on at Bethlem. When the day ward was closed and a psychotherapeutic community was established in the old recreation hall in the I970s, it was named the Charles Hood Unit, a name that was felt to be particularly appropriate given the 'emphasis he placed upon ... moral treatment'.5
