The Prisoners' Hidden Li, or Insane Asylums Unveiled; As Demonstrated by the Report of the Investigating Committee of the Legislature of Illinois, Tog (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1871 edition. Excerpt: ...not become a maniac long ago, is one of the mys teries of God s providence. Since I have known her she has not been insane. She has been one of my most esteemed associates--as an intelligent and capable woman--as competent to attend to the practical duties of life as ever, could she only be induced to make the effort. But all her ambition and self-esteem being prostrated, by the abuse she has experienced, her case seems almost hopeless--her usefulness for this world destroyed, except so far as her case may be employed as a warning, 9. living memorial of the barbarous influences of the Insane Asylums upon humanity, as they have been and L still are conducted. If it had not been for these institutions, she might have been, ere this, a useful and happy woman; and had she been cherished and cared for by her kindred, as their true hearts then prompted, instead of trusting her to the care of strangers, she might have recovered her health and spirits, and long have been a blessing to them and to the world. But alas this willing victim has been offered a living sacrifice to the Lunatic Asylum and under the specious pretence that her gbod might be secured Several of her friends have died since she has been here, but she was not allowed to know anything of the event, until she chanced to see the notice of their death in the papers O, can this eritombing of kindred alive, be for their or our own good? Is it for our own good to cut off our afliicted friends, and so desert them, as to root out all traces of sympathy in them, or interest in their welfare?-Is it for their good to put them where the affectionate yearings of their fond hearts have no object to cling-to, and no-means allowed through which to exercise their emotions? Can a...