By 1975 it is envisaged that the number of beds in mental hospitals will be reduced from the present level of 3.3 per thousand of population to about 1.8 per thousand1. It is uncertain whether this considerable reduction will be achieved mainly by a diminution in the numbers of elderly or of younger patients who must remain in mental hospitals. It is, however, clear that it will be practicable ...

IN this monograph Dr. Brocklehurst outlines an active approach to a problem which too often is passively accepted as a necessary evil. The system of "laisser-faire," commonly adopted towards incontinence, entails endless use of skilled nursing care on frequent bed changes, and needless expense on laundering and replacement of bed linen. Dr. Brocklehurst has investigated this problem in the adul...