The use of Receiving Houses, that is to say, houses established specially for the observation of doubtful cases of mental disorder, is almost entirely of Australian origin, although something analogous exists, and has existed for many years in England and Scotland, in the Lunacy Wards attached to the Workhouses, Infirmaries, and Poor Houses. The latter, however, do not fulfil all the uses that the Receiving House can be put to; neither are they independent institutions, nor do the terms for which patients can be received correspond.