Gheel: The City of the Simple is a historical book written by William Pitt Byrne in 1869. The book explores the town of Gheel in Belgium, which was known for its unique approach to mental health treatment during the Middle Ages. The town was home to a large number of people with mental illnesses, who were cared for by the townspeople and lived among them as part of the community. Byrne delves into the history of Gheel, tracing its origins to the 7th century and detailing the evolution of its treatment methods over time. He discusses the various theories and practices that were used to care for the mentally ill in Gheel, including the use of music, art, and religious rituals. The book also provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who lived in Gheel during this period. Byrne describes the daily routines of the residents, their interactions with one another, and the unique customs and traditions that developed within the town. Gheel: The City of the Simple is an important historical work that sheds light on a little-known aspect of mental health care in the Middle Ages. It is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history of mental health treatment or the social and cultural history of Europe.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world’s literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.