Does anyone know anything about old/ historical lunatic asylums??

Question

I need as much info on old and historical lunatic asylums, around 1700-1800, or the stereotypical stuff you see in horror films. Things like reasons people were admitted, the sorts of treatments and restraints they would use etc. Might seem a bit strange, but any info or good websites you could give me would be of great help!! Thanks!

Answer 1

Gartloch , Glasgow - which closed a few years ago - and is being turned into " Luxury Apartments " ... was a scary place - I was brought up in Easterhouse, Glasgow - and you could hear the screams & the wailing of the siren when one of the "patients"  managed to escape... but then most of the punters in Easterhouse were barking mad anyway...seemingly there are shallow graves all over the grounds ..where the bodies of experimented on patients where  disposed of.

have a look --

http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/Asylums/Gar...

http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/Asylums/Gar...

Answer 2

I know a distant relative of mine was put into an asylum for having Multiple sclerosis in the 1890's, and left to die.  Very sad indeed and it must have been hellish for him.

I have listed a few links which may help below.

*SL

Answer 3

i cant seem to find any websites but im sure if u look harder than me lol on google you'l find some. i know some treatments used, they took away the front, left and right lobe ( i think thts wat its called), they wuld spin the patients round a 100 times on a revolving chair to try and get the madness out of them, i cant find any more but im really interetsed in it now haha

Answer 4

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~asylum...

Answer 5

I know they used hydrotherapy, such as wrapping them in ice and cold water to calm them down.

They also used a process called trephining, which included using a sharp, rocklike object to puncture their skull, thinking this would let out the evil spirits that were taking over their body and causing their "craziness".