How Ten Days in a Madhouse Changed How We Treat Mental Illness

The other day I was browsing Prime and was shocked to see Ten Days In A Madhouse come up as a movie choice. Now, as a movie, it was ok.

But as a book, it was brilliant. Not because of how well written the book was, though, from a technical standpoint, it was well written, but because of what it accomplished. 

 

The original Ten Days in A Madhouse exposed the heinous practices of late 19th century insane asylums in America. 

In order to make her book authentic, investigative reporter, Nellie Bly went undercover as a patient in the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island for ten days.  She discovered various tortures masquerading as treatments. Things that could not be done to genuine prisoners could be done to the insane. And since they were considered insane, consent was always ‘implied’ even when the patient said ‘no’. 

She pointed out that the level of torture and cruelty in such places would soon make you go mad, even if you were committed by accident. Once you were in, there was no hope of getting out. She only got out with the help of a good lawyer. 

Her book led to a grand jury of investigation of such practices, banning most of them outright.

It also led to a financial increase in the Department of Public Charities and corrections, so mentally ill people could get the help they deserved. 

It also brought her lasting fame, no small feat in 1887 for a woman. 

That’s how her book changed the world. How will your book change the world? 

About Post Author