Ten Days in a Madhouse

MP3 Audio CD. Ten Days in a Madhouse

CHAPTER I.

A DELICATE MISSION.

ON the 22d of September I was asked by the World if I could have myself
committed to one of the asylums for the insane in New York, with a view
to writing a plain and unvarnished narrative of the treatment of the patients
therein and the methods of management, etc. Did I think I had the courage
to go through such an ordeal as the mission would demand? Could I
assume the characteristics of insanity to such a degree that I could pass the
doctors, live for a week among the insane without the authorities there
finding out that I was only a "chiel amang 'em takin' notes?" I said I
believed I could. I had some faith in my own ability as an actress and
thought I could assume insanity long enough to accomplish any mission
intrusted to me. Could I pass a week in the insane ward at Blackwell's
Island? I said I could and I would. And I did.

My instructions were simply to go on with my work as soon as I felt that I was ready. I was to
chronicle faithfully the experiences I underwent, and when once within the walls of the asylum
to find out and describe its inside workings, which are always, so effectually hidden by white-
capped nurses, as well as by bolts and bars, from the knowledge of the public. "We do not ask
you to go there for the purpose of making sensational revelations. Write up things as you find
them, good or bad; give praise or blame as you think best, and the truth all the time. But I am
afraid of that chronic smile of yours," said the editor. "I will smile no more," I said, and I went
away to execute my delicate and, as I found out, difficult mission.

If I did get into the asylum, which I hardly hoped to do, I had no idea that my experiences would
contain aught else than a simple tale of life in