Alienists
Alienists are historical figures, primarily from the 19th century, who dealt with the study and treatment of mental illness. The term "alienist" is now considered archaic and has largely been replaced by "psychiatrist" or "mental health professional." Alienists were often physicians who developed a specialized interest in what were then termed "insanities" or "mental disorders."
Their practices involved the observation and classification of various mental afflictions. Alienists would often examine individuals
The work of alienists laid some of the groundwork for modern psychiatry, but their methods and understanding