Two years and four months in a lunatic asylum

Chase, Hiram, 1801-1877

Two years and four months in a lunatic asylum 2 years and 4 months in a lunatic asylum : from August 20th, 1863 to December 20th, 1865 - 1 online resource : multiple file formats

Release date is 2014-07-02

Produced by Gonçalo Silva and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive) Produced by Gonçalo Silva and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive)

"Two Years and Four Months in a Lunatic Asylum" by Hiram Chase is a personal narrative written in the late 19th century. The book recounts the author’s harrowing experiences as a patient in a lunatic asylum in Utica, New York, shedding light on the oppressive conditions and treatment of mental health patients during that era. Chase illustrates his journey from being a respected minister to becoming an unwitting inmate, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding mental illness and the brutal realities of institutional life. The opening of the narrative begins with a preface in which Hiram Chase outlines the reasons for documenting his asylum experiences, aiming to reveal the truths about such institutions which were often misunderstood by society. He reflects on his previous ignorance about asylums, recounting his sudden decline into a state of mental distress triggered by various stressors, ultimately leading to his forced commitment. As he describes his feelings of despair, confusion, and incredulity at being confined with individuals labeled as "insane," the reader is drawn into the psychological and emotional turmoil he endured during his two years and four months at the asylum. (This is an automatically generated summary.)



14007190

Chase, Hiram Mentally ill -- Care -- New York (State) -- Utica Mentally ill, Writings of the, American

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