John Gray (physiologist)

John Gray (1825 – 1890) was a Scottish physician and physiologist who served as the Medical Superintendent of the James Murray's Royal Asylum in Perth, Scotland from 1858 until his death. He is best known for his research and contributions to the understanding of mental illness, particularly melancholia and mania. Gray advocated for humane treatment of asylum patients, promoting a therapeutic environment focused on moral treatment and occupational therapy. He also emphasized the importance of scientific investigation into the physical causes of mental disorders and advocated for a closer relationship between psychiatry and general medicine. His work played a significant role in the development of British psychiatry during the Victorian era.