Ten Days In A Mad-House

An asylum, in the context of the 19th century, was an institution intended to care for individuals diagnosed with a mental illness. However, these facilities were often underfunded and overcrowded, and they became notorious for their inhumane treatment of patients. In Ten Days in a Mad-House, Bly reveals the grim realities of life in asylums, challenging the notion that these institutions were places of refuge and healing.

“Commitment” refers to the process of admitting someone to an asylum, often against their will. During Bly’s time, this process was particularly subjective, with criteria that could be easily manipulated or misunderstood, especially in cases involving women. Bly’s investigation exposes how commitment was frequently abused, stripping individuals of their freedom and placing them at the mercy of a flawed and oppressive system.

Examinations in the mental health systems were meant to assess a person’s mental stability, but, as Bly’s experience demonstrates, they were often superficial, flawed, and arbitrary. Bly’s exams involved various tests, including having her tongue and eyes inspected, holding out her arms, and answering leading questions about hallucinations. Despite Bly’s rational responses, the doctors’ assessments were perfunctory, often ignoring her statements and physical cues in favor of their predetermined conclusions about her mental state.