Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Arnold, Thomas (1742-1816)

by George Vere Benson

ARNOLD, THOMAS, M.D. (1742–1816), physician and writer on insanity, was born in the town of Leicester, educated at Edinburgh, where he took the degree of M.D., became a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, and of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh. He practised in Leicester, where he was deservedly popular, and became owner and conductor of a large lunatic asylum there. 'In a word, he was an enlightened ornament of his native town' (Gent. Mag.).

His principal works are:

1. 'Observations on the Nature, Kinds, Causes, and Prevention of Insanity, Lunacy, or Madness,' London and Leicester, 1782, 1786.
2. 'A Case of Hydrophobia successfully treated,' 1793.
3. 'Observations on the Management of the Insane,' 1809.

In the first of these he examines and compares the opinions of ancient and modern writers on the subject. It is a work of great learning and research, and abounds with interesting cases related from the author's experience. He died at Leicester 2 Sept. 1816.

[Gent. Mag. Ixxxvi. pt. ii. p. 378.]

G. V. B.