Activist for the Indigent Insane and Civil War nurse Dorothea Dix Gives a Case Study to a Clergyman, Adding His Niece Has Been Admitted to an Asylum in Philadelphia

The case study says, “Her case does not promise an early or complete restoration, And that the issue that developed during the last few days of her residence in Washington made it obligatory to place her where she would be under observation at all times. Her own life was perished and at times she would throw herself on the floor of the Public Library room in the presence of 40 or 50 persons and offer importunate prayers for their salvation. She wandered at night in an undress in the hotel preaching at the doors of acquaintances raising them from sleep to converse on various topics…”

Dorothea Lynde Dix was an advocate on behalf of the indigent mentally ill who, through a vigorous and sustained program of lobbying state legislatures and the United States Congress, created the first generation of American mental asylums. During the Civil War, she served as a Superintendent of Army Nurses.

Autograph Letter Signed, 3 pages, Washington, January 28, no year but ca. 1851, to Rev. Wiliam Allen. “I learned that an invalid lady Mrs. Lawson of Louisiana, lately introduced to my acquaintance in an insane condition is your niece, and I write to inform you that I took her on Saturday of last week to the Pennsylvania hospital for the insane near Philadelphia under charge of doctor Kirkbride. I cannot now give you the history of her condition for several weeks past, but highly state that her case does not promise an early or complete restoration, And that the issue that developed during the last few days of her residence in Washington made it obligatory to place her where she would be under observation at all times. Her own life was perished and at times she would throw herself on the floor of the Public Library room in the presence of 40 or 50 persons and offer importunate prayers for their salvation. She wandered at night in an undress in the hotel preaching at the doors of acquaintances raising them from sleep to converse on various topics. She was alone both her faithful servant Henderson being as expensive charges and in this state of things it was not known that she had any friends or relatives to whom appeal could be made. Mr. Conrad, the secretary of war, and general Davis and some others of Louisiana were called on. I heard from several parties who came to me from the hotel of the facts and did what in corresponding circumstances I should desire should be done for myself, removed her to what are to me of the best remedial institutions in the country as quietly and comfortably as was possible. She is pleased with her situation at present, and is disposed to adopt the idea of a mission to the inmates of the hospital whose salvation is dictated to assure. I will endeavor to write to you again but my time is much occupied, I have very little leisure. I advise that the friends of Mrs. L do not visit her just now lest excitement be increased – her comfort and care are protected and assured.” Charles M. Conrad was Secretary of War from 1850 to 1853, thus the assumed date. General Davis would be Jefferson Davis.

Dorothea Dix was a teacher of the underprivileged, which indirectly led to her role as an influential social reformer. While visiting a jail in 1841 to teach Sunday school, she witnessed the appalling treatment of the mentally ill who were forced to live in the company of common criminals. Outraged, Dix felt morally compelled to promote humane care for those suffering from mental illness. At a time when these people were often incarcerated in prisons or crowded into small wards at private hospitals, Dix convinced the legislatures of many states to construct public asylums where the mentally ill could live in reasonable comfort, receive therapy, and be encouraged to live more enriched lives. Dix’s tireless work publicized the abuse of the mentally ill and was a catalyst for the advancement of humane treatment. Her efforts were directly responsible for the founding of numerous asylums throughout the United States, as well as in Canada and Europe. Dorothea Dix and Thomas Kirkbride formed a warm friendship through their common interest and goals. Dix’s work undoubtedly created circumstances favorable to the proliferation of asylums based on Kirkbride’s ideas. William Allen was an American biographer, scholar and academic. He served as president of both Dartmouth University and Bowdoin College.