The Faces of Bedlam

These photographs of patients at the Bethlem Royal Hospital were taken in the mid-1800s in order to examine their faces for clues to better understand their mental health conditions. This technique was based on the 19th century study of face physiognomy, also known as face reading, just one of many ways humans have tried and failed to understand the human mind throughout history.

Join me this week as I unpack the history of mental health, how it’s been viewed, how it’s been treated, and how much we got wrong. You can find History Fix wherever you listen to podcasts (or link in bio).

[ginge.]

This hospital is why we now say "it's absolute bedlam" when we see a scene of chaos or great confusion.

[hansendesigns]

It’s a shame that these very outdated practices put a stop to any contemporary good institutions for those who are now (esp in the usa) mostly ending up in jails and solitary confinement for crimes they would not have had a chance to commit if they could have lived in a supervised, clean and moral institution.

[victoriousbooks]

My mom was born in 1938 in Abilene Texas. When she was an elementary school student it was common practice for the local insane asylum would put patients in cages on the lawn (she only remembers the cages, there may have patients not caged) and on Sunday's in the good weather days they would take a drive after church and look at the patients. Many of neighbors did the same.

[jackalina]

Also the patients were either naked or near naked in 1 or 2 pieces of underwear in my understanding to save on washing! Needless to say many almost froze.🙄⚠️✌️

[ProductCreationFormula]

So thats where the term bedlam came from. It kind of makes sense.

[elizabetha]

Most of my family has mental illnesses but most can function sort of except 2.

[Kersijus]

cool vid, what's the music you've been using?

[erikadowdy]

Poor things😢they look so Lost and emaciated

[setarita]

Let’s be honest - the patients have been running the asylum since these shut down