“Portraits Of Bedlam”: Haunting Photos Of Patients Treated At Britain’s Most Notorious Psychiatric Hospital In The 19th Century – Design You Trust

“Portraits Of Bedlam”: Haunting Photos Of Patients Treated At Britain’s Most Notorious Psychiatric Hospital In The 19th Century

Haunting photographs show people who attended the infamous Bethlem Royal Hospital where patients were ‘treated’ by being spun round in chairs in front of paying punters. Most of the patients at the London asylum, better known as Bedlam, were diagnosed with acute mania and some arrived after killing people.

h/t: vintag.es

This unidentified female patient was admitted to the hospital in the mid 19th century after she was diagnosed with acute mania.

Bethlem Royal Hospital was the first mental health institution to be set up in Europe. And since its founding in 1247, it has been the topic of numerous horror books and films.

William Thomas Green, admitted in 1857, was diagnosed with acute mania.

One of the distressing treatments invented by Erasmus Darwin – grandfather to Charles – was called rotational therapy and involved putting a patient in a chair suspended in the air who was then spun round for hours.

Esther Hannah Still, admitted in 1858 and diagnosed with chronic mania and delusions.

Photographer Henry Heiring took these portraits of patients in the 19th century to see if their faces could show evidence of their illnesses.

Eliza Josolyne, admitted in 1856, was diagnosed with acute melancholia.

Captain George Johnston was charged with homicide and served his time in Bedlam in 1846 after being diagnosed with mania.

Eliza Camplin was admitted in 1857 after being diagnosed with acute mania.

A second portrait of Eliza Camplin, who received ‘treatment’ at the facility.

Members of the public could pay to take a look inside Bedlam and gawp at patients, such as this unidentified woman.

This unidentified female patient was one of the unfortunate souls who was incarcerated in the hellish hospital in the mid-19th century.

John Bailey and his son Thomas, both admitted in 1858 with acute melancholia.

Another unidentified patient managed to crack a smile as she was snapped by Henry Hering in the mid-19th century.

Famous artist Richard Dadd was admitted to Bethlem after he was accused of killing his father, who he believed to be the Devil.

Sarah Gardner, a 26-year-old domestic servant, was admitted to Bethlem in 1857 after a diagnosis suffering from ‘great mental depression’.

Fanny Barrett was admitted in 1858 and diagnosed with intermittent mania.

Eliza Griffin faced the same plight as Harriet, as she was also housed in Bethlem after being diagnosed with acute mania in 1855.

Harriet Jordan was admitted in 1858 after being diagnosed with acute mania.

This moving portrait of an unidentified patient really captures a sense of vulnerability.

If you want more awesome content, subscribe to 'Oh, Design You Trust,' our brand new Facebook page! Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

More Inspiring Stories

Breathtaking Photos Of Isolated Tribes From All Around The World
AI Artist Imagines What If Star Wars Was A Finnish Movie In The 70s
Photographer Anto Magzan Captured The Aftermath Of The Strong Earthquake In Zagreb
Photographer Mark Taylor Captures Hilarious Photos Of Pet Doppelgängers Sharing The Same Colors
Life Before iPods: 26 Vintage Photographs Show the Heyday of Boombox in New York City From the 1980s
"Lost In Time": Photographer Goes In Search Of Russia’s Least Known Museums
"Into The Mirror" By Luca Meneghel
Black Model Recreates Famous Fashion Campaigns To Highlight Lack Of Diversity In Fashion Industry
This Woman Has Dedicated Her Life To Taking Pictures Of The Oldest Trees On The Planet
Vintage Posters for the Early "Tom and Jerry" Cartoons in the 1940s
Breathtaking Aerial Shots Of Barcelona, Revealing The City's Symmetry
These Men’s Fashion Ads From The 1970s That Will Leave You Speechless
Powerful Portraits Show The Faces Behind The Women’s March On Washington
Amazing Cover Photos of the Famous Monsters of Filmland in the 1970s
No Name
Retro Photos Show the Inside of Offices in the 1970s and ’80s
Winners of the 7th Annual Wikimedia Photo Awards
Hilarious Winners Of The 2016 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards
Photographer Naohiro Yako Captures Colorful And Dazzling Nighttime Pictures Of Japan
Hot Australian Firefighters Pose With Animals For The New 2020 Calendars
Portraits of Lovely Ladies Featured on the Covers of Radio Control Modeler Magazines From the 1970s and 1980s
Cool Snaps Capture People Posing With Signs In The Past
Rare Photographs Document Iranian Women Protest Against The Hijab Law In March 1979
Rare and Fascinating Historical Photos of Pasta Production From the 1920s to 1950s