Final answer:
The question pertains to the historical development of mental health facilities within general hospitals. It highlights society's evolving approach to mental illness treatment and the inclusion of specialized care units as part of health system reform.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question refers to the historical development of healthcare facilities for individuals exhibiting abnormal behavior, a movement that has social and medical implications for how society treats mental illness. This traces back to when general hospitals began integrating facilities specifically tailored for patients with abnormal behaviors. Over the course of history, there has been a significant shift in how society approaches mental health, from the pathologization of behaviors considered abnormal, such as homosexuality, to the move towards deinstitutionalization in favor of community-based treatment and the reform of mental health systems.
Notably, the inclusion of special facilities in general hospitals likely falls under the broader category of health system reform, which includes the period when the American Hospital Association successfully lobbied for federal assistance leading to the Hospital Survey and Construction Act (Hill Burton Act) of 1946. This act enabled the expansion of hospitals but also reflected societal norms of the time, including provisions for segregation.
Reform efforts like those in the 19th century for prisons, asylums, and schools, highlighted the need for public institutions to address social issues related to mental illness, moving away from punitive measures towards more humane treatment and rehabilitation.