The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-07-05
A Chapter Of Horrors Illinois In
sane Asylum.

The frightful abuses practiced in pri.
vate insane asylums have been exposed 10
several American and English works of
fiction, but the public generally have been
apt to believe accounts coming through
such sources were exaggerated by the
imagination of the writer's. Occasionally,
however, we'll authenticated facts have
gone to prove that no coloring of romance
could exceed in shocking ghastliness the
revelations of reality. Lately, oircum-
Stances have brought to light some scenes
and incidents in the interior economy of
the Illinois Insane Asylum, and such
another chapter of horrors could scarcely
be found outside the records of the Span
ish Inquisition.
Within the walls of that terrible build
ing, given over, hopelessly, helplessly, to
the tender mercies of gang of brutal,
bestial doctors and keepers, hundreds Of
poor demented beings have languished
through years of torture and indignity,
until death kindly came to terminate their
suferings. From various sources tho
truth is gradually coming out, and the de-.
tails already published are SO sad and
sickening as to make one almost doubt
the possibility of their occurrence, were
not the evidence in the case thoroughly
sustained and irrefragible. There is proof
positive that the unfortunate inmates were,
for the slightest Observation-Disclosures, be it
remem bered, committed in a condition of
utter responsibility - subjected to the
most cruel and revolving punishments.
Think of delicate woman consigned to
the fendish discipline of the "screwroo M"
and the case is one that actually occ lrred.
The wretched victim was fitted with a
closely fitting waist or "jacket," with
sleeves coming below the hand and sewed
up, having a single loophole through
which strong cord might be passed.
Her arms were then crossed in front, the
hands being drawn tightly behind her, she
was then thrown violently upon the floor,
face downward, her clothing was removed,
and then she was beaten until her flesh
was mere jelly.
With what were called refractoryor OBJ
stinate patients the indescribAble agony
of the cold bath was resorted to. The
patient was taken to the bath room, tied
hand and foot, plunged into cold water,
held under until almost strangled, for a
moment removed only to be again and
again submerged until life was nearly ex-
tinct.
A lady, employed in the asylum for
three years and half, writes to female
friend that one of the physicians instruct
ed the attendants how to cLoke patients
without leaving finger marks From
another attendant we have the following
story of devilish malignity vouched for:
"An attendant discovered patient of
Inirm health resting on her bed in the
daytime, in disregard of rule of the
house to which no exceptions are allowed.
To. the peremptory and insulting order
which followed, Sthe patient ventured a
word of self defense. This was too much!
The attendant is not to be answered by o
patient! She seizes her roughly and
drags her upon the floor with extreme vi
olence. The patient is reused and defends
herself, or attempts it. We are summon
moped to the attendants assistance, and
find her-a largo heavy mountaineering
hef whole weight upon the invalid's body,
with her knees upon her stomach, and
with the patients head as hammer, the
tresses of her hair serving as convenient
handles, pounding the floor eoith all her
might. TO our ordinations and inter.
cessions, we get for reply tho assurance
that the offending victim has got the dew.
il in her and I mean to beat it out. Help