The Unsound Mind

During 1847 in England and Wales, there were 5,247 patients housed in 21 County and Borough Asylums; by 1914, this had increased to 108,837 patients in 102 asylums. For some, such a traumatic time in their lives may only have lasted a few weeks or months. More often however, once admitted into the care of the asylum, the experiences of most patients lasted for many years - if not a lifetime.