Chapters in the history of psychiatry in Israel and its surroundings: B). The Asfouriyeh hospital for the insane in Lebanon

This is the second of a series of articles dealing with the history of psychiatry in Eretz-Israel and its surroundings. After a brief survey of the Ottoman medicine and Islamic hospitals, this article presents a short description of the treatment for mentally ill patients in the Ottoman Empire. We describe the historical background and the establishment of the Asfouriyeh hospital for the insane in Lebanon towards the end of 19th century, as well as other mental hospitals in this land. We outline some similarities in initiative and administration during the foundation of Ezrath-Nashim hospital in Jerusalem at that time.