The West Riding Pauper Lunatic Asylum3. Earlier treatment of people with a mental illness
However seen within the context of the era the asylum was a more civilised way of treating people with a mental illness than in previous times. In the 14th and 15th centuries they were seen as witches and persecuted. There were many myths surrounding them and they were often laughed at or physically abused. Poor people would have had no means to feed or support themselves and some would have been dependent on relatives who would exploit or mistreat them.
The 1868 report of the Medical Superintendent describes how the asylum is well ordered and gives proper attention and kindness to "lunatics". It describes how false ideas and negative attitudes about insanity have led to cruel treatment in the past. Corporal punishment and straight jackets are never used and books, games and concerts were found to be an essential part of treatment.
Paupers would have been well fed with a diet of bread, milk, meat, yeast dumplings, potatoes and beer. They would also have had the chance to learn a trade or even take reading and writing classes. A report of an inspection by the Commissioners in Lunacy in 1868 found the patients clean and well dressed and in a "quite and orderly state". Women were knitting, sewing, working in the bake house and laundry. Men could learn how to be tailors, weavers, bookbinders and shoe makers.
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