The New York herald., 1876-12-14
A Great Outrage.

The brutal treatment Of the insane has
been made the theme with which more than
one novelist has aroused the indignation of
his reader as he contemplated to what depths
it was possible for man to descend in the
scale of cruelty. There have been also,
time and again, Investigations into the
treatment Of patients at various asy-
lums which have shown neglect that
has reflected strongly upon the management
of such institutions. But the reader of a
work Of fiction always believes that theweb
and woof of the story is manufactured to a
large extent from the brain of the author for
the purpose of attracting popular attention,
thus bringing to himself reputation as an
author and increasing the sale of his book.
Charles Reade has depicted the horrors of
the madhouse treatment in language so
graphic that the blood curdles at even the
contemplation of the facts he presents.
yet few of his readers believe that
he has founded all his statements upon
facts. We naturally recofl from admitting
mans inhumanity to man to the extent that
he narrates in his book Every Hard Cash. T"
Again, there is SO general on inclination on
the part of the public to believe that be-
cause man is confined in an insane asylum
nothing he may say or his friends may
assert is worthy of credit. On the one
hand the novelist is believed to be
peopling his chamber of horrors with actors
that may play his tragedy for his individual
profit, and on the other the charges brought
by the insane are believed to be only the un-
healthy coinage of the brain. We, however,
have case presented to public notice to-
day that shows that, however we may be
inclined to question the picture that the pen
of fiction may, paint, it is possible for truth
to present story Of brutality that will chal-
lenge any that the noyelist's imagination
has conceived.
Here we find a lady whose brain has lost
its balance under conditions that make a
special appeal to tender consideration.
She is placed in the Bloomingdale Asylum
for treatment According to her statement
she is first subjected to the straitjacket
daily, the use of which is unpardon-
able with delicate woman. Yet this is
experience. Every effort was made to
heap upon her the most degrading insult,
and nothing seems to be omitted that
would strike at every feeling of self
respect and that modesty which isthe crown
ing virtue in woman. When her family
called to inquire about her health they were
informed she was not we'll enough to be
seen, in order to prevent their seeing the
results of the assaults made upon her by
her inhumnn attendants. The full details of
this case will be found in another column,
and it will there be noticed that the repre-
sentative of the HKRALD has seen the wounds
that have been inflicted upon the victim by
the wretches that were employed to care for
and protect her.
This case is one which calls for prompt
investigation. For the unfortunate lady
who has been subjected to the tortures Of
the tools of the Bloomingdale Asylum inqui-
stion nothing can be done. But surely
some provision should be made to prevent q
repetition Of such outrage This sad story
indicates that On insane asylum is an insti-
tuition where the helpless are securely barred
from the protection of their friends that they
may be punished for lunacy as if it were .
crime. Indeed, by comparison, the GRIM
inals in our prisons are treated as the guests
of the Commonwealth.