Summary
Webbed Moleskin Petticoat made circa 1910. Webbed petticoats were used in mental health hospitals in Victoria, Australia prior to the use of sedatives, to restrict the movement of patients.
Physical Description
Webbed petticoat has skirt stitched together down the middle from crotch to ankles, making the wearer hobble. Has canvas shoulder straps and a straight body of heavyweight cream moleskin. Stitching is grey. There is an oblong opening down the front from yoke to crutch and a similar one from the top of the back which is closed with 2 canvas straps with screw-type locking brass buckles.
Significance
Example of restraining garments used on patients from mental health hospitals in Victoria Australia
More Information
-
Collection Names
-
Collecting Areas
-
Acquisition Information
Donation from Office of Psychiatric Services, May 1985
-
Place & Date Used
-
Inscriptions
Large 'O' painted in black ink on either side of the oblong hole down the front of the garment.
-
Classification
-
Category
-
Discipline
-
Type of item
-
Overall Dimensions
52 cm (Length), 119.5 cm (Height)
-
References
History of Medicine Vol.3, No.1, 1972
-
Keywords
Hospitals, Psychiatric Services, Making History - Psych Services
