Ten Days in a Mad House

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In 1887, investigative journalist Nellie Bly undertook a groundbreaking assignment for Joseph Pulitzer’s New York World by going undercover as a patient in a notorious insane asylum on Blackwell’s Island. For ten days, she documented the abuses and neglect she witnessed, transforming her findings into a sensational two-part story. Bly checked into a New York boardinghouse under a false identity, acting disturbed enough to prompt police involvement. In court, she feigned amnesia, leading to her diagnosis as insane by several doctors. Sent to the Women’s Lunatic Asylum, she encountered rampant abuse, where many patients, often beaten and belittled by staff, appeared perfectly sane or had their conditions worsened. They were served spoiled food, forced to live in squalor, and subjected to ice-cold baths by indifferent attendants, reflecting a city that had abandoned them under the guise of healing. Bly’s reporting showcased her talent and commitment to investigative journalism, captivating her audience and igniting a reform movement that would significantly improve the treatment of individuals in asylums. Her work not only highlighted the dire conditions but also set the stage for a reevaluation of mental health care in the city.