At foot of title: "to inquire into the treatment pursued in the asylums of the United Kingdom, and to report upon the system which appears best adapted for carrying out the most approved principles of moral treatment". -- On t.p.: "Read at the Social Science Congress, 1865, and published by permission of the association". -- Published in London by John Churchill & Sons, 11, New Burlington-Street ; and in Waterford by J. H. McGrath, The Citizen office, 31, Merchants' Quay. -- Includes table of contents. -- Includes bibliographic references. -- Includes press reviews of Blake's previous work and appendix.