Summary
White canvas locked gloves, circa 1910. Locked gloves were used to prevent patients from harming themselves, but it has been suggested that they were particularly employed to discourage masturbation. Masturbation was considered a possible cause of insanity until as late as 1939.
Physical Description
One locked canvas glove. Pear-shaped, white, canvas mitten, stitched in black around the edges with sewn-on canvas wrist-strap and brass buckle with lock. The lock is a small torpedo-shaped, screw-in bolt, which is turned with a key.
Significance
Example of restraints used in Victorian mental health hospitals circa 1910
More Information
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Collection Names
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Collecting Areas
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Acquisition Information
Donation from Office of Psychiatric Services, May 1985
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Date Used
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Classification
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Category
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Discipline
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Type of item
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Overall Dimensions
17 cm (Length), 26 cm (Height)
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References
History of Medicine, Bol.3, No.1, 1972.
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Keywords
Clothing, Psychiatric Hospitals, Sexuality, Making History - Psych Services
