Author Description

" Others fancy themselves afflicted with tormenting and incurable diseases: others contend that they have committed the most unpardonable sins. Some fancy themselves transformed into the prince of darkness, or into obnoxious animals, which it would be proper to destroy: some seem constantly bent on self-destruction, while others fancy that they are to suffer under the most unjust sentences, and constantly plead their innocence. Others mourn over their afflictions, and ask every one that approaches them, whether it is possible for them ever to recover from their horrid state. Some vociferate from morning till night, and make all the noise possible', others laugh, and dance, and sing continually. Some fancy themselves kings, queens, generals, or other great characters; and many usurp he dignity of heavenly beings, and utter that which, in others, would be blasphemy." A short but vivid description of the Asylum for the Insane "near Frankford, in the vicinity of Philadelphia"; treatment and coercion, punishments, habitation, classification, improvements, personal comfort, diet, etc. This is a reproduction of a book published in 1825.