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A New England teacher and author, Dix had lots of compassion and willpower. She worked hard to improve the treatment of the mentally ill.
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After recovering from a physical illness of her own, Dix began an investigation of her home state of Massachusetts. She mostly focused on how towns and individuals cared for people with mental illness. After recorded her findings, DIx published them in a local newspaper.
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In 1841, Dix started a tireless campaign so that individuals who were mentally ill could live in a hospital catered to their needs. She traveled throughtout the United States to gather evidence of abuse towards the mentally ill. As a result of her work, Dix helped establish five hospitals in the United States as well as started a movement in Europe.
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Dix testified in front of the Massachucets legislature in 1844, telling them of the treatment of the mentally ill. As a result, the New Jersey State Lunatic Asylum was created.
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As a result of Dorothy Dix's efforts in the early 1840s, many insitutions began helping their patients intensely. However, by today's standards, their care was poor. Additionally, some of the first mental hospitals were opened.
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In the late 19th century, a new reform movement, devoted to “mental hygiene,” started. The reform combined the newly emerging concepts of public health (which at the time was referred to as “hygiene”), scientific medicine, and social progressivism.