*Please note- This site search does not include the Vic. & Tas. BMD's, Lots o' Links & Worth a Look Books
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If you were not like all the rest,
or oddly behaved and a pest;
They locked you away
And there you would stay,
and treated not much like a guest
or oddly behaved and a pest;
They locked you away
And there you would stay,
and treated not much like a guest
PECULIAR PLACEs
and other destinations
Asylums
Little Sisters of the Poor
Buildings in Northcote for the aged
On 5th November, 1884, the Little Sisters arrived in Melbourne. Six French Sisters and two English Sisters disembarked at Port Melbourne after a voyage of 6 weeks. Their first home was two terraced houses where St. Vincent'’s hospital now stands. Within a few days they had admitted there first elderly lady. A few days later there was another arrival and from that time the work of the Little Sisters has never ceased to flourish in Melbourne. In 1885 the property at Northcote was purchased, through the generosity of the people of Melbourne. There was a small farmhouse on the property, a three roomed weatherboard building of Baltic pine with a verandah on both sides. A Chapel, also in Baltic pine was built. The Sisters recorded that they enjoyed the sea breezes and had a view of Mount Macedon. When this little family moved from Victoria Parade to Northcote, Cobb & co coaches transported the elderly free of charge.
In 1888 a large building project began. Donations and other forms of generosity abounded. When the first stage of the building was completed, ninety elderly people were admitted in eighteen days. By 1890 there were two hundred elderly people and by 1892 this had risen to 300. Many of these elderly people were victims of the gold rush era. They had not made their fortunes and were now homeless. Shortly after the original foundation, two more sisters came from France and the first Australian girl had entered the congregation. By 1886 six more young Australian girls had joined the ranks and by 1887 this had increased to nine. Over the years, extensions were made to the hilltop building which can be seen from afar, a landmark of Northcote. In the early 1980’s it was necessary to move with the times and to build a new, modern aged care facility. The Official Opening of the Nursing Home was in 1983 and the remainder of the building was opened in 1988. The original farmhouse and chapel are preserved in our grounds.
http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/melbourne.html
Buildings in Northcote for the aged
On 5th November, 1884, the Little Sisters arrived in Melbourne. Six French Sisters and two English Sisters disembarked at Port Melbourne after a voyage of 6 weeks. Their first home was two terraced houses where St. Vincent'’s hospital now stands. Within a few days they had admitted there first elderly lady. A few days later there was another arrival and from that time the work of the Little Sisters has never ceased to flourish in Melbourne. In 1885 the property at Northcote was purchased, through the generosity of the people of Melbourne. There was a small farmhouse on the property, a three roomed weatherboard building of Baltic pine with a verandah on both sides. A Chapel, also in Baltic pine was built. The Sisters recorded that they enjoyed the sea breezes and had a view of Mount Macedon. When this little family moved from Victoria Parade to Northcote, Cobb & co coaches transported the elderly free of charge.
In 1888 a large building project began. Donations and other forms of generosity abounded. When the first stage of the building was completed, ninety elderly people were admitted in eighteen days. By 1890 there were two hundred elderly people and by 1892 this had risen to 300. Many of these elderly people were victims of the gold rush era. They had not made their fortunes and were now homeless. Shortly after the original foundation, two more sisters came from France and the first Australian girl had entered the congregation. By 1886 six more young Australian girls had joined the ranks and by 1887 this had increased to nine. Over the years, extensions were made to the hilltop building which can be seen from afar, a landmark of Northcote. In the early 1980’s it was necessary to move with the times and to build a new, modern aged care facility. The Official Opening of the Nursing Home was in 1983 and the remainder of the building was opened in 1988. The original farmhouse and chapel are preserved in our grounds.
http://www.littlesistersofthepoor.org.au/melbourne.html
Fever Hospital
Victoria in the 1860s was rife with disease. Diphtheria, typhoid, small pox and scarlet fever were all killers. The Victorian Colonial Government began to discuss the idea
Two sites were considered, for creating a hospital to treat patients with infectious diseases- the Yarra Bend and further along Heidelberg Road. The Yarra Bend site was the preferred location however the local residents were less than enamoured with the idea of an infectious diseases hospital close by and the proposal was dropped. The idea was raised again in 1874 & Yarra Bend was again viewed favourably, however the second site considered this time was Royal Park near the present day Royal Children’s Hospital.
Nothing came of this either and it was not until 1890 when the Government revamped the Central Board of Health that the idea was raised a third time. This time the decision was made that the hospital would be built at Yarra Bend, which was Government property, with the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum already operating there from 1848. Incredibly the community raised £16,000 in 1897 & a very short time later, work was able to commence Architects Clegg, Kell and Miller had a fifteen acre site to work on although that was to later increase substantially.
In 1904 the hospital finally opened its doors as the Queens Memorial Hospital. The revenue for operating the hospital was drawn from Melbourne, Fitzroy, Richmond, St. Kilda, Brunswick and Coburg councils. Each council contributed to the upkeep of the hospital and in return they had a seat on the Hospital Board and their ratepayers were treated free of charge. Other councils were required to pay for any of their residents who required the use of the hospital. The first superintendent was Dr. Sydney H. Allen and within a week his hospital had received six patients, one of whom died.
In 1915 the Hospital Board was restructured and greatly increased with Northcote and Preston joining the board. All councils now contributed to the upkeep of the hospital as well as receiving funding from the State Government. The hospital continued to grow with new wards added in 1917 and 1922. The annual intake of patients ranged from 3,100 to 6,800 with the busiest years being 1918-1920, the years of the Spanish influenza. This intake was to remain remarkably consistent until the late 1980's when the figure jumped to over 10,000, a number it was to stay at until its closure in 1996.
Fairfield infectious diseases Hospital, is now being used as the Fairfield campus of N.M.I.T.
Admission records to the hospital, available through the G.S.V.
http://www.gsv.org.au/research/guests/ guestcatalo
http://www.victorianplaces.com.au/fairfield
Victoria in the 1860s was rife with disease. Diphtheria, typhoid, small pox and scarlet fever were all killers. The Victorian Colonial Government began to discuss the idea
Two sites were considered, for creating a hospital to treat patients with infectious diseases- the Yarra Bend and further along Heidelberg Road. The Yarra Bend site was the preferred location however the local residents were less than enamoured with the idea of an infectious diseases hospital close by and the proposal was dropped. The idea was raised again in 1874 & Yarra Bend was again viewed favourably, however the second site considered this time was Royal Park near the present day Royal Children’s Hospital.
Nothing came of this either and it was not until 1890 when the Government revamped the Central Board of Health that the idea was raised a third time. This time the decision was made that the hospital would be built at Yarra Bend, which was Government property, with the Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum already operating there from 1848. Incredibly the community raised £16,000 in 1897 & a very short time later, work was able to commence Architects Clegg, Kell and Miller had a fifteen acre site to work on although that was to later increase substantially.
In 1904 the hospital finally opened its doors as the Queens Memorial Hospital. The revenue for operating the hospital was drawn from Melbourne, Fitzroy, Richmond, St. Kilda, Brunswick and Coburg councils. Each council contributed to the upkeep of the hospital and in return they had a seat on the Hospital Board and their ratepayers were treated free of charge. Other councils were required to pay for any of their residents who required the use of the hospital. The first superintendent was Dr. Sydney H. Allen and within a week his hospital had received six patients, one of whom died.
In 1915 the Hospital Board was restructured and greatly increased with Northcote and Preston joining the board. All councils now contributed to the upkeep of the hospital as well as receiving funding from the State Government. The hospital continued to grow with new wards added in 1917 and 1922. The annual intake of patients ranged from 3,100 to 6,800 with the busiest years being 1918-1920, the years of the Spanish influenza. This intake was to remain remarkably consistent until the late 1980's when the figure jumped to over 10,000, a number it was to stay at until its closure in 1996.
Fairfield infectious diseases Hospital, is now being used as the Fairfield campus of N.M.I.T.
Admission records to the hospital, available through the G.S.V.
http://www.gsv.org.au/research/guests/ guestcatalo
http://www.victorianplaces.com.au/fairfield
Melbourne Retreat for the Cure of Inebriates (1873 - 1892)
The Northcote Inebriates Retreat first came into existence in October 1873 under the provisions of the inebriate act which allowed licensed retreats for the treatment and cure of inebriates. It was located between St George’s Road and Merri creek where the Northcote High School and Merri Park are located today. Two buildings were situated on the 21 acre area next to Merri creek, the main building was a two story brick accommodation block, especially built to house the inebriates admitted to the retreat. Next to that was a wooden building which housed a meeting room, library & private quarters of Dr. Charles McCarthy.
The Retreat was run by Dr. McCarthy and funded through donations from citizens and a Government grant. He went on to buy the property and planned to continue running it at his own cost but it was soon taken over by the Government after a legal dispute regarding ownership, and became run by the State in 1890. They retained Dr. McCarthy as superintendent. At this time attendance could not be enforced by the courts and so was voluntary. It was also now only available for female inebriates. Previously males had consistently outnumbered females four to one. In 1891 only 15 women attended the retreat, which was not worth the cost of keeping the retreat open and so it was closed down in 1892. The inebriate retreat buildings were demolished in 1926 when the Northcote High School first opened its doors. During the twenty years of operation, over 650 people were treated at the Northcote Inebriate Retreat.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/377
The Northcote Inebriates Retreat first came into existence in October 1873 under the provisions of the inebriate act which allowed licensed retreats for the treatment and cure of inebriates. It was located between St George’s Road and Merri creek where the Northcote High School and Merri Park are located today. Two buildings were situated on the 21 acre area next to Merri creek, the main building was a two story brick accommodation block, especially built to house the inebriates admitted to the retreat. Next to that was a wooden building which housed a meeting room, library & private quarters of Dr. Charles McCarthy.
The Retreat was run by Dr. McCarthy and funded through donations from citizens and a Government grant. He went on to buy the property and planned to continue running it at his own cost but it was soon taken over by the Government after a legal dispute regarding ownership, and became run by the State in 1890. They retained Dr. McCarthy as superintendent. At this time attendance could not be enforced by the courts and so was voluntary. It was also now only available for female inebriates. Previously males had consistently outnumbered females four to one. In 1891 only 15 women attended the retreat, which was not worth the cost of keeping the retreat open and so it was closed down in 1892. The inebriate retreat buildings were demolished in 1926 when the Northcote High School first opened its doors. During the twenty years of operation, over 650 people were treated at the Northcote Inebriate Retreat.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/377
The Willard Asylum for the Insane
The Willard Asylum for the Insane operated from the 1800s until 1995 - housing untold thousands of patients, many for the rest of their lives. It currently houses a drug rehabilitation program for convicts http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2338714 The names of The Inmates of Willard https://inmatesofwillard.com/names-census-info/ |
Willsmere (Kew) Mental Asylum
Operational for over a hundred years, Willsmere was one of the largest asylums ever built in Australia. First known as Kew Lunatic Asylum, the complex of buildings was constructed between 1864 and 1872 to house the growing number of ‘lunatics’ & ‘unrepentant drunks’. Kew continued to operate throughout the 20th century as a psychiatric hospital, treating acute, long-term and geriatric patients until it closed in December 1988. The main building and surrounding grounds were sold by the State Government, and were then redeveloped as residential properties, with the stipulation that all redesign must fall within regulations for
preservation of the original façade.
Operational for over a hundred years, Willsmere was one of the largest asylums ever built in Australia. First known as Kew Lunatic Asylum, the complex of buildings was constructed between 1864 and 1872 to house the growing number of ‘lunatics’ & ‘unrepentant drunks’. Kew continued to operate throughout the 20th century as a psychiatric hospital, treating acute, long-term and geriatric patients until it closed in December 1988. The main building and surrounding grounds were sold by the State Government, and were then redeveloped as residential properties, with the stipulation that all redesign must fall within regulations for
preservation of the original façade.
It took just two signatures to have a person condemned to a psychiatric ward in a time when understanding of mental illness was desperately wanting. “At one stage it also took two signatures to be discharged, but that was later increased to eight signatures, meaning it was a lot harder to get out.”
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-psychiatric-patients-grim-fate-in-hellish-1800s
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorian-psychiatric-patients-grim-fate-in-hellish-1800s
Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum
As the population of Melbourne grew from a handful of people in 1835 to thousands in the 1840s, a significant problem emerged in the young colony. The Government had taken no steps to ensure the care of mentally disturbed persons and they were either left to roam the streets, or if they caused a disturbance, to be incarcerated in the Collins Street gaol. The Superintendent of Port Phillip was authorised by the New South Wales Governor to build additional cells at the rear of the gaol to house lunatics, but their care was not the responsibility of the government. Overcrowding soon lead to the mixing of prisoners and lunatics.
By 1843 Governor Gipps had a change of mind regarding the care of the mentally disturbed and introduced legislation accepting care for the “lunatics and idiots.” Surveyor Robert Hoddle selected a site on the Yarra Bend above Dights Fall and 620 acres was put aside for the asylum. A sum of £3,000 was allocated for the construction work and tenders were issued. All of the tenders exceeded the budget and the plans were revised, reducing the building to a single wing, made in bluestone, of 4,350 square feet. It had seven cells & two wards for men and three cells and one ward for women. Separate outbuildings were to be constructed for the superintendent and keeper. The successful builder was James Webb with a tender of £2,789.
Building work commenced in October 1846 and by 1848 the first ten patients moved into the asylum. The first superintendent was George Watson with an annual salary of £100 plus keep. His wife was matron, and he was supported by three male keepers, one female keeper, a cook and a laundress. Towards the end of 1849 overcrowding was a problem again. In the next year the government committed a further £2,000 for the construction of a new wing, Brown and Ramsden winning the tender.
As the population of Melbourne grew from a handful of people in 1835 to thousands in the 1840s, a significant problem emerged in the young colony. The Government had taken no steps to ensure the care of mentally disturbed persons and they were either left to roam the streets, or if they caused a disturbance, to be incarcerated in the Collins Street gaol. The Superintendent of Port Phillip was authorised by the New South Wales Governor to build additional cells at the rear of the gaol to house lunatics, but their care was not the responsibility of the government. Overcrowding soon lead to the mixing of prisoners and lunatics.
By 1843 Governor Gipps had a change of mind regarding the care of the mentally disturbed and introduced legislation accepting care for the “lunatics and idiots.” Surveyor Robert Hoddle selected a site on the Yarra Bend above Dights Fall and 620 acres was put aside for the asylum. A sum of £3,000 was allocated for the construction work and tenders were issued. All of the tenders exceeded the budget and the plans were revised, reducing the building to a single wing, made in bluestone, of 4,350 square feet. It had seven cells & two wards for men and three cells and one ward for women. Separate outbuildings were to be constructed for the superintendent and keeper. The successful builder was James Webb with a tender of £2,789.
Building work commenced in October 1846 and by 1848 the first ten patients moved into the asylum. The first superintendent was George Watson with an annual salary of £100 plus keep. His wife was matron, and he was supported by three male keepers, one female keeper, a cook and a laundress. Towards the end of 1849 overcrowding was a problem again. In the next year the government committed a further £2,000 for the construction of a new wing, Brown and Ramsden winning the tender.
Yarra Bend Lunatic Asylum
Where the saying- 'He's 'round the bend' came from
Where the saying- 'He's 'round the bend' came from
The early 1850's proved turbulent for the institution. A newly appointed doctor, Thomas Embling was appointed and soon began to clash with the asylum administration. The situation soon became so bad that a Parliamentary enquiry was held in 1852. Its findings included:
· Evidence of physical and sexual abuse;
· Corruption;
· Poor treatment of prisoners, including forcing 28 people to share the same bath water,
· Illegal use of asylum resources, including using resources supposedly earmarked for patients being funnelled into a private poultry farm run by the
superintendent;
· Patients being frequently drunk.
· Corruption;
· Poor treatment of prisoners, including forcing 28 people to share the same bath water,
· Illegal use of asylum resources, including using resources supposedly earmarked for patients being funnelled into a private poultry farm run by the
superintendent;
· Patients being frequently drunk.
As a result of the enquiry both the Superintendent and the doctor were replaced with a new medical superintendent, Robert Bowie, taking over the running of the asylum on 13 October 1852.
By 1865 the chronic overcrowding became so bad that the Victorian government commenced work on Kew Cottages across the Yarra River. It was intended to replace the Yarra Bend Asylum but when it opened in 1871 in became, instead, a ward of the existing asylum. By 1872 Kew Cottages had become a separate organization, however Yarra Bend Asylum continued to operate.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/631
By 1865 the chronic overcrowding became so bad that the Victorian government commenced work on Kew Cottages across the Yarra River. It was intended to replace the Yarra Bend Asylum but when it opened in 1871 in became, instead, a ward of the existing asylum. By 1872 Kew Cottages had become a separate organization, however Yarra Bend Asylum continued to operate.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/631
From the Victorian Police Gazette, 1854
Larundel Mental Asylum Bundoora
Larundel Hospital was conceived in 1938 to replace the outdated Kew mental hospital. By 1940 work was well underway when the Second World War intervened. For the next five years various uses were planned for the buildings. It was considered as a U.S. military hospital or for housing the Children’s Welfare Depot. In the end the R.A.A.F. took it over in 1942, using it as a W.A.A.F. training depot. Part of the existing complex was also used as a R.A.A.F. hospital. In 1946 Larundel was given to the Department of Housing for emergency accommodation. The wards were converted to flats. By 1948 there were 109 families living at Larundel. By November 1949 the last of the families had moved out and thirty male patients were transferred from Mont Park Hospital. Large parts of the hospital remained unfinished with a low Government priority. However a fire at Beechworth hospital forced additional funds to be allocated, to open wards at Larundel for Beechworth’s patients. It was not until 1953 that Larundel was officially opened as a mental hospital. It had 387 patients, a quarter of which were women.
During the late 1990's there was a strong move away from institutional care of psychiatric patients and towards community based care. A number of Victoria’s mental hospitals were closed, including Kew and Larundel. Many patients were transferred to Austin Hospital.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/328
Larundel Hospital was conceived in 1938 to replace the outdated Kew mental hospital. By 1940 work was well underway when the Second World War intervened. For the next five years various uses were planned for the buildings. It was considered as a U.S. military hospital or for housing the Children’s Welfare Depot. In the end the R.A.A.F. took it over in 1942, using it as a W.A.A.F. training depot. Part of the existing complex was also used as a R.A.A.F. hospital. In 1946 Larundel was given to the Department of Housing for emergency accommodation. The wards were converted to flats. By 1948 there were 109 families living at Larundel. By November 1949 the last of the families had moved out and thirty male patients were transferred from Mont Park Hospital. Large parts of the hospital remained unfinished with a low Government priority. However a fire at Beechworth hospital forced additional funds to be allocated, to open wards at Larundel for Beechworth’s patients. It was not until 1953 that Larundel was officially opened as a mental hospital. It had 387 patients, a quarter of which were women.
During the late 1990's there was a strong move away from institutional care of psychiatric patients and towards community based care. A number of Victoria’s mental hospitals were closed, including Kew and Larundel. Many patients were transferred to Austin Hospital.
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/article/328
The site is now being developed by Deal Corporation, with plans to build 550 new homes on the site. It is proposed to convert one building for community use. The Public Records Office of Victoria have many historical records. Their website is www.prov.vic.gov.au. When searching the site a suggested search is 'Mental Health'. Larundel is a favourite among ghost hunters, with the former asylum said to be haunted. The buildings are in a state of complete disrepair due to vandals.
http://www.weekendnotes.com/larundel-mental-asylum/
http://www.weekendnotes.com/larundel-mental-asylum/
Aradale Asylum, Ararat
Aradale Asylum was an Australian psychiatric hospital, located in Ararat, a rural city in Victoria, Australia.
Now a ghost "town", Aradale was once known as the Ararat Lunatic Asylum. Aradale and its two sister asylums at Kew and Beechworth were commissioned to accommodate the growing number of "lunatics" in the colony of Victoria. Construction began in 1860 and was opened for patients in 1865. It was closed as an asylum in 1998. At its height, Aradale had up to 900 patients yearly and is a large complex with up to 70 interesting historic abandoned buildings.
Aradale Asylum was an Australian psychiatric hospital, located in Ararat, a rural city in Victoria, Australia.
Now a ghost "town", Aradale was once known as the Ararat Lunatic Asylum. Aradale and its two sister asylums at Kew and Beechworth were commissioned to accommodate the growing number of "lunatics" in the colony of Victoria. Construction began in 1860 and was opened for patients in 1865. It was closed as an asylum in 1998. At its height, Aradale had up to 900 patients yearly and is a large complex with up to 70 interesting historic abandoned buildings.
Augustine, Florida, Royal Hope Hospital was a Spanish military hospital from 1784 to 1821, before eventually being demolished. A replica of the original hospital was later built to house the wounded during the Seminole War. Eventually, St. Augustine city workers were attempting to repair some water lines and dug in the area of the old hospital, only to discover that it had been built on what appeared to be an old Native American burial ground.
Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital
Bundoora Homestead, an ornate Queen Anne style Federation mansion used today as the public art gallery (City of Darebin). It is one of only three remaining buildings of the Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital that accommodated patients suffering from psychological trauma resulting from war. The types of disorders patients at Bundoora were diagnosed with included dementia, mania, general paralysis of the insane, insanity with epilepsy, delusional insanity, obsessional psychosis, paranoia, psychasthenia, alcoholic insanity, confusional insanity, melancholia, mania, neurasthenia & manic depression. Many treated for extended periods of time, became permanent residents who never regained the ability to function in society.
http://prov.vic.gov.au/publications/provenance/provenance2015/lithium-and-lost-souls
Bundoora Homestead, an ornate Queen Anne style Federation mansion used today as the public art gallery (City of Darebin). It is one of only three remaining buildings of the Bundoora Repatriation Mental Hospital that accommodated patients suffering from psychological trauma resulting from war. The types of disorders patients at Bundoora were diagnosed with included dementia, mania, general paralysis of the insane, insanity with epilepsy, delusional insanity, obsessional psychosis, paranoia, psychasthenia, alcoholic insanity, confusional insanity, melancholia, mania, neurasthenia & manic depression. Many treated for extended periods of time, became permanent residents who never regained the ability to function in society.
http://prov.vic.gov.au/publications/provenance/provenance2015/lithium-and-lost-souls
Massachusetts, Taunton State Hospital
Massachusetts, Taunton State Hospital was built in 1854 as a psychiatric hospital, and it boasts a rather horrifying history. One of the hospital’s most famous patients was Jane Toppan, a serial killer who confessed to having murdered at least 31 people while working as a nurse. And yet, according to some of the stories, the people who ran Taunton State Hospital may have actually been even more terrifying than many of the criminally insane patients it housed.
Massachusetts, Taunton State Hospital was built in 1854 as a psychiatric hospital, and it boasts a rather horrifying history. One of the hospital’s most famous patients was Jane Toppan, a serial killer who confessed to having murdered at least 31 people while working as a nurse. And yet, according to some of the stories, the people who ran Taunton State Hospital may have actually been even more terrifying than many of the criminally insane patients it housed.
Lunatic Asylum, Beechworth
Originally known as Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, Beechworth was a sister hospital to Ararat in Victoria, Australia, and was open for 128 years before shutting its doors for good in 1995. Both Beechworth and Ararat were opened in the same year after Victoria’s lone mental institution became overcrowded. At its height, Beechworth housed roughly 1,200 patients, and it was remarkably easy to have someone committed, requiring only two signatures to do so.
There were reports of mysterious deaths and disappearances at Beechworth, and in the facility’s first laboratory for experimentation, operations and autopsies, jars filled with body parts adorned the shelves throughout the room. These jars have since vanished, as a fire took part of Beechworth in the 1950’s and the jars disappeared sometime around the restoration of the facility.
http://chickgeek.org/haunted-hospitals/
Originally known as Mayday Hills Lunatic Asylum, Beechworth was a sister hospital to Ararat in Victoria, Australia, and was open for 128 years before shutting its doors for good in 1995. Both Beechworth and Ararat were opened in the same year after Victoria’s lone mental institution became overcrowded. At its height, Beechworth housed roughly 1,200 patients, and it was remarkably easy to have someone committed, requiring only two signatures to do so.
There were reports of mysterious deaths and disappearances at Beechworth, and in the facility’s first laboratory for experimentation, operations and autopsies, jars filled with body parts adorned the shelves throughout the room. These jars have since vanished, as a fire took part of Beechworth in the 1950’s and the jars disappeared sometime around the restoration of the facility.
http://chickgeek.org/haunted-hospitals/
10 Crazy Facts From Bedlam
The institution began as a priory for the New Order of St. Mary of Bethlehem in 1247. As religious folks are wont to do, the monks there began to look after the indigent and mentally ill. The monks believed that harsh treatment, a basic diet, and isolation from society starved the disturbed portion of the psyche.Bedlam was run by physicians in the Monro family for over 100 years, during the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, patients were dunked in cold baths, starved, and beaten. William Black’s 1811 “Dissertation on Insanity” described the asylum thusly: “In Bedlam the strait waistcoat when necessary, and occasional purgatives are the principal remdies. Nature, time, regimen, confinement, and seclusion from relations are the principal auxiliaries.” He went on to describe the use of venesection (an archaic term for bloodletting), leeches, cupping glasses, and the administration of blisters. Bedlam was so horrific that it would routinely refuse admission to patients deemed too frail to handle the course of their therapies.
http://listverse.com/2014/04/02/10-crazy-facts-from-bedlam-historys-most-notorious-asylum/
The institution began as a priory for the New Order of St. Mary of Bethlehem in 1247. As religious folks are wont to do, the monks there began to look after the indigent and mentally ill. The monks believed that harsh treatment, a basic diet, and isolation from society starved the disturbed portion of the psyche.Bedlam was run by physicians in the Monro family for over 100 years, during the 18th and 19th centuries. During this time, patients were dunked in cold baths, starved, and beaten. William Black’s 1811 “Dissertation on Insanity” described the asylum thusly: “In Bedlam the strait waistcoat when necessary, and occasional purgatives are the principal remdies. Nature, time, regimen, confinement, and seclusion from relations are the principal auxiliaries.” He went on to describe the use of venesection (an archaic term for bloodletting), leeches, cupping glasses, and the administration of blisters. Bedlam was so horrific that it would routinely refuse admission to patients deemed too frail to handle the course of their therapies.
http://listverse.com/2014/04/02/10-crazy-facts-from-bedlam-historys-most-notorious-asylum/
Liverpool Street Station (Bedlam Asylum)
http://they-hide-in-the-dark.tumblr.com/post/8441 The Madness of Bedlam-Time Team
47:01 BEDLAM: The Real Horror Story
http://all-that-is-interesting.com/bedlam |
BEDLAM: THE HORRORS OF LONDON’S MOST NOTORIOUS INSANE ASYLUM
http://www.the-line-up.com/insane-asylum-bedlam/ BBC Mental A History of the Madhouse
58:37 History of Psychiatric Institutionalisation and Community Care in Australia c.1811-c.1990
http://www.ahpi.esrc.unimelb.edu.au/legislation |
On the Darebin Heritage site
http://heritage.darebinlibraries.vic.gov.au/category/ Diseases of the Mind 19th Century Psychiatry
https://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/diseases/debates.html |
Centre for Psychiatric Nursing Photographs
http://cpn.unimelb.edu.au/psychiatric_nursing Australia’s Most Terrifying and Haunted Places:
http://www.thisishorror.co.uk/columns/antipodean |