Chaining Lunatics to Walls

Prior to straight jackets and before medications were invented to treat the mentally ill, many patients would be chained to walls or other immovable objects, seriously constricting movement.

Many possible reasons circulate still today, attempting to explain the barbaric, inhumane act of chaining. These reasons include, but are not limited to, preventing the patient from hurting herself or others, as a punishment, and to make the jobs of asylum attendants and nurses easier.

Whatever the true reason, no matter how you view it, the act was cruel and brutal, with some patients being left chained for up to days at a time with no clothing, blankets, or food, left to soil themselves and sit, lie, or stand among the excrement.