HOSPITAL BROTHERS OF SAINT JOHN OF GOD (FATEBENEFRATELLI) - The complex of the Hospitals on the Tiber Island and the principal seat of the Order - Rome.
on which the hospitals depended. The clinics of university medical faculties belong to the category of hospitals; these, however, are governed by special regulations contained in the Consolidated Law of 21 August 1933, no. 1592, art. 49, and in the General University Regulations of 6 April 1924, no. 674, art. 132. The characteristic element of these medical-university institutions lies less in their charitable purpose than in their scientific and educational one.
Psychiatric hospitals, or “asylums,” have particular characteristics and serve to admit and treat the mentally ill. They differ from ordinary hospitals in that they combine a public-safety function with an assistance function: the mentally ill are not merely admitted and treated, but are also rendered incapable of harming themselves or others.
Asylums may be distinguished as public and private. Public ones are for the most part administered by the provinces. The regulations governing asylums, contained in the Law of 14 February 1904, no. 56, and in the related Implementing Regulation of 16 August 1909, no. 615, are uniformly prescribed for all asylums, public and private.
As regards the Church’s action in promoting charitable institutions, V. ASSISTENZA SOCIALE; CARITÀ. V. also INCUBABILI, Ospedali degli; LAZZARETTI; LEBBRA E LEBBROSARI.