«Casa di cura o opera di carità coattiva»? Il manicomio di Racconigi durante la “direzione Toselli” (1873-1879).

This paper focuses on the genealogy and creation of the asylum in Racconigi, in Italy. The paper explores the management of Dr. Toselli between 1873 and 1879. This mental hospital hosted psychiatric patients from the Province of Cuneo, coming from families, hospitals and other asylums in Turin, Genoa, Reggio Emilia. The research also outlines the history of public health policies and control strategies of abnormalities in an Italian province. At the same time, it looks at the political and cultural context of the time and analyses the complexity of power relations between public authorities, and their ideology on the issue of the insanity plea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]