Nelly Bly -- What if this were today?

As I read Nelly Bly's account of her experience in Blackwell, I identified a number of patterns and/or themes with patients, nurses, and doctors as well as with the general operation of the institution (e.g., food, heat, beds, etc). In your reply, discuss the patterns or themes you identified in the reading. Then, imagine an expose like "Ten Days" occurred today...a confederate journalist, posing as a person with mental illness...would he/she receive a diagnosis? would he/she see similar patterns to the ones you identified in Nelly Bly's account? Answer these questions and then reply to at least 3 of your classmates' replies.

Restraints - How did that happen?

As we review how  people were treated in asylums in the late 18th century and early 19th century, it  is easy in hindsight  to condemn their psychiatric "treatments" and practices.

Yet, how does anyone justify doing things TO people, against their will? Cartesian philosophy helps  explain the reasoning for these  kinds of treatments. Rene  Descartes was a French  Philosopher who lived  from 1596-1650,  a fuller explanation of his work can  be found here. Information on Descartes

The quick version is that Descartes believed that the ability to reason  separated us (humans) from  animals, so if  people were  unable to reason,  then they were to be treated like animals. 

The justification was that the people with  reason (aka the people in power -- The Superintendents Association) felt that they were doing what was best for everyone - controlling people with mental illness (and others who  did not have any disability,but were just interned in asylums). 

Do you see this happening today? Do things happen to people "for their own  good," yet may not feel like it is what is best for them?  Answer these questions, and  give specific examples and then respond to  at least 3 of your classmates' replies.