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America's view of the Mentally Ill
Throughout Colonial American the mentally ill were viewed as being possessed by demons and sought out priests to perform an exorcism. They believed the insane were supernaturally altered and the madness was an effect of the moon. The name "lunatic" was given to them along with madmen, brute and wild beast. Albert Deusch “The Mentally Ill in America-A History of Their Care and Treatment from Colonial Times” (New York: Columbia University Press, 1949) p 2-38
Photograph: Engraved by C. Penoso -
Imprisoning of the Mentally Ill
The mentally ill were confined to cellars, attics and outhouses by their family to keep them out of the public eye. If they were unable to be managed at home then they were put in jails or tied to whipping posts. Those viewed as violent would be chained to the walls. Many would wander the streets from city to city.
Photograph: NIH
Albert Deusch “The Mentally Ill in America-A History of Their Care and Treatment from Colonial Times” (New York: Columbia University Press, 1949) p 54 -
Treatments of the Mentally Ill
America had a limited number of physicians. Mental illness was treated like a medical condition. Wealthy families would take their insane family member to the barbers, who were medical providers and have bloodletting performed to rid the body of the bad "humors". Barber poles were placed outside to let people know that bloodletting was performed in that shop.
Photograph: Wikepedia
L. G. Eichner "The Practice of Domestic Medicine During the Colonial Period." The American Patriot Series -
Pennsylvania Hospital
Benjamin Rush along with Thomas Bond petitioned the city of Philadelphia to build a hospital for the sick and insane. Rush stated the mentally ill were a safety concern in the city. Bond believed the city needed a place to care for the sick. The city assembly finally agreed and began building a hospital. This was the first national institution where the mentally ill would to be admitted.
Photograph: Penn Medicine
Penn Medicine “The Story of the Creation of the Nation’s First Hospital” -
The Mentally Ill as a Public Attraction
Families would gather to view the mentally ill patients through their cell windows. It was considered a form of entertainment on Sundays and holidays. Rush and other physicians were concerned with pubic upsetting the patients so they petitioned the authorities to control these gatherings. A fence was erected surrounding the hospital to limit access to the public.
Photograph: Lewisandclark.org
William Rush, "Medical inquiries and Observations" (Philadelphia: Kimber and Richardson, 1812) -
The Custom of Charging a Fee for Viewing of the Mentally Ill
After the fence was erected, it did not deter the public from gathering outside of the hospital to watch the insane patients through the fences. Authorities charged a fee to the public to watch the patients. This was intended to protect the patients by driving away the public. Unfortunately, this did little to stop the side show.
Photograph:Sideshow Freaks
Albert Deusch“The Mentally Ill in America-A History of Their Care and Treatment from Colonial Times”(New York: Columbia Univer. Press, 1949) -
Dr. Benjamin Rush "Father of Psychiatry"
Dr. Rush joined the staff of Pennsylvania Hospital. He brought about the most aggressive changes to the treatment of the mentally ill. Rush advocated for humane treatment through acts of kindness and alternate treatments to help cure the mentally ill. In an effort to protect others, the violent patients, they were contained in "Madd-shirts" later to be known as straight jackets.
Photograph: Charles Willson Peale
Morton,Thomas G."History of the Pennsylvania Hospital"(Phila-
delphia,1897) -
Request to Improve the Living Conditions of the Mentally Ill
The mentally ill were housed in the basement of the Pennsylvania Hospital. Rush requested they be given better living areas in hopes of improving their conditions. The cells they were kept in had no air movement, no cooling or heating their rooms. The rooms were unkept and dirty. Rush stated there was an array of smells throughout the basement and this was unacceptable.
Photograph: asylumprojects.org
William Rush, "Medical inquiries and Observations"(Philadelphia: Kimber and Richardson, 1812) -
West Wing Addition to the Pennsylvania Hosptial
The west wing expansion allowed for the mentally ill to be moved from the basement to the main level of the hospital. In addition to better living conditions, this also prevented people from being able to peer into the windows of the rooms and teasing the patients. Access to the facility was restricted to only staff. The general public was no longer permitted to enter the hospital.
Photograph: William Strickland
Penn Medicine “The Story of the Creation of the Nation’s First Hospital” -
The Major Change to Treatment of the Mentally Ill
Rush invented a chair called the "Tranquilizing chair" Rush believed madness was associated with too little or too much stimulation to the blood flow of the brain. The chair secured patients at the arms and feet then a box like object was placed over their head. This reduced blood flow to the extremities so there would be an increase to the brain blood flow.
Photograph: Library of Medicine
William Rush, "Medical inquiries and Observations" (Philadelphia: Kimber and Richardson, 1812)
