Ten Days in a Mad-House; or, Nellie Bly's Experience on Blackwell's Island. / Feigning Insanity in Order to Reveal Asylum Horrors. The Trying Ordeal of the New York World's Girl Correspondent.

Chapter 2: INTRODUCTION.

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About This Book

The author undertakes an undercover investigation by feigning mental illness to secure admission to a metropolitan asylum and documents her experiences during ten days confined there. She describes the admission process, medical examinations, the daily routines and living conditions in the wards, interactions with attendants and doctors, and the treatment of patients, including neglect and cruelty as well as instances of kindness. The narrative combines first-hand observation with analysis of institutional practices and culminates in public exposure that spurred scrutiny and reforms.

INTRODUCTION.

Since my experiences in Blackwell’s Island Insane Asylum were published in the World I have received hundreds of letters in regard to it. The edition containing my story long since ran out, and I have been prevailed upon to allow it to be published in book-form, to satisfy the hundreds who are yet asking for copies.

I am happy to be able to state as a result of my visit to the asylum and the exposures consequent thereon, that the City of New York has appropriated $1,000,000 more per annum than ever before for the care of the insane. So I have at least the satisfaction of knowing that the poor unfortunates will be the better cared for because of my work.