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Memorial Of Miss D. L. Dix To the Senate And House Of Representatives Of The United States

Creator: Dorothea L. Dix (author)
Date: August 8, 1850
Source: Available at selected libraries

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120  

In P--, the cells in the cellar for the insane were in a most wretched condition. In M--, the insane, and many imbeciles, were miserably housed, fed, and clothed. In the vicinity of the main building was one of brick; containing the poor-cells, from eight to nine feet square. A straw bed and blanket on the floor constituted the furniture, if I except the ring-bolts and iron chains for securing the patients. In P--, I found the insane, as usual, ill provided for. One madman was chained, clothed only with a straight jacket, laced so as to impede the motion of the arms and hands: cold, exposed, and offensive to the last degree, his aspect, wild and furious, was as shocking as his language was coarse and blasphemous. Such care was bestowed as the keepers of the poorhouse best could render; but an hospital alone could afford fit treatment for one so dangerous and so unmanageable.

121  

At M--, were five idiots and insane, ill kept, and very turbulent most of the time. Said one poor maniac, whose fetters and manacles I had ordered to be removed, and whose aching, bruised limbs I was bathing, "Ah, now I am a human creature again: God is good -- he sends you to free me: I will pray for you forever, and bright days shall shine for you." One woman, whose limbs bore marks of the cankering iron, worn for many years, said, "I could curse those who chain me, but the soft voice says, 'Pray for your enemies;' but, alas! my soul is dark, and the thoughts are black."

122  

In the western part of the State I found a young man chained near his father's house, his bleeding limbs cut by the iron rings which confined the ankles; he moaned, and howled, and cursed, and raved, so that horror filled the neighborhood.

123  

A middle-aged woman, who was often greatly excited, was for months at a time confined in a smoke-house. Her condition was filthy to the last degree; she had neither change of raiment, nor water for bathing, for months. "She'll be found frozen to death some of these nights, I reckon," said the "care taker." Ten miles distant I found another case similar, but if possible more miserable.

124  

In Pennsylvania, in 1839, careful inquiry, followed by authentic reports, placed the number of insane and idiots at over twenty-three hundred: of these it was computed that more than twelve hundred were in the county poorhouses and prisons. I visited every county and considerable town in the State in the summer and autumn of 1844, and am satisfied that the number was much above the estimate of 1839.

125  

In L-- I found above fifty insane, not counting idiots. The cells in the poorhouse, forty-four in number, measured four feet by seven, and twelve feet high; "chains and hobbles" were in constant use.

126  

In Y-- were above thirty insane: those in the basement of the poor-house occupied cells of sufficient dimension, being fourteen by ten, and ten feet high; hobblesand chains in use The physician estimated the number of insane in the county at more than one hundred, and added that cases of exceeding neglect and suffering often came to his knowledge. Sufficient provision in hospitals might save thousands of honest citizens from becoming a life-long burden to themselves and others, through permanent insanity. In this county above one hundred insane were found; there probably were other cases. In the poorhouse at G-- the insane were exposed and suffering; the basement cells measured eight by eight feet, and eight feet high. Chains, hobbles, and the miscalled "tranquillizing chain," were in use. There were more than forty insane in the county.

127  

In C--, above twenty insane and idiots in the poorhouse; one was chained near the fireplace of a small room; a box filled with straw was near, in which she slept. Above 60 insane and idiots in this county. In B-- I found nearly 40; some chained, others confined in narrow cells. In S--, several insane in the jail; one, heavily ironed, had been in close confinement there six years-another eleven months. In this county the insane and idiots were estimated to be 76 in 1840. I heard of more than 100. One woman has for months wandered in the woods and fields in a state of raving madness.

128  

At G--, several cases in the jail; one chained; above fifty in the county.

129  

In N--, in the jail, two madmen in chains; no furniture or decent care. One was rolling in the dust, in the highest excitement: he had been in close confinement for fifteen years. On one occasion he became exasperated at the introduction of a drunken prisoner into his cell, who perhaps provoked him. No one knows; but the keeper, on entering, found the insane maim furious, covered with the blood of the other, who was murdered and mutilated in the most shocking manner. Another insane man had been in confinement seven years, and both are to this day in the same prison. In the poorhouse were above twenty insane and idiots; four chained to time floor. In the adjacent county were above fifty cases of misery through brutal usage, by insane and epileptics; several cases of misery through brutal usage, by "kicks and beating," in private families.

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