What does tap bells mean?

If you go back,not that long ago,many of these places had 2 and 3 times the capacity they were designed for.It is said that Danvers State Hospital at one time had 2,500 patients.Can you imagine what that could have been like?There was not alot of effective medications.When a person goes high,the adrenilan takes over and you could have someone with super human strength.It could take 4 or 5 men to restrain a patient.At that point all that could be done was give the patient medication and put them in restraints.Hopefully they would calm down.Thats a pretty tough job.

PTSD can be horrible.I once worker with a man who did 2 tours in Viet Nam.Sometimes we would talk about the war and you could see him change and for a minute he was back in the war.

Knowledge,skill and experience are necessary qualities which one must aquire,but they are of little use unless accompanied by kindness,sympathy and understanding of human nature

indigent whack jobs :-(

You can lead the horse to water,but you cant make him/her drink.

I look at the " people" every day and I do not live in a glass house.

Perhaps Parent is venting instead of ranting and raving.The Pennhurst website has some of the documents detailing what went on there.

Lynne,the stigma is still a big problem.Much of it being generated by people who know very little about the subject.Can you imagine what it was like 50 or 100 years ago?

2 cats fighting can let out some loud screaming noises.

Hi Erin,there are many people with mental illness that are locked away in the jail and prison systems across the country.

It's just an empty case, it's from the barracks of Schwanksville which is in Spring City.

Hi Jason,I hate to see a beautiful building demolished too.The memories of Danvers State Hospital will last forever.

Hi Amanda,hydrotherapy was a common treatment to help patients.It was used to relax,sedate or stimulate a patient.Sitz baths was one of the therapies used to treat a patient.

Jenell,that is great information.It gives a glimpse into Danvers in 1940.I would like to see the numbers for 1960 to compare.

That was well said Heather.

It is unfortunate that the building is being demolished.It would be difficult to preserve after so many years of neglect.Another problem is that old buildings like this are full of asbestos and lead paint.

There are many hospitals like Danvers that are being demolished.The land is worth alot of money to developers.Some of the land at McLEANS hospital is being used to build condo's.For those who do not know McLEANS.It is located in Belmont Ma.The hospital is still in operation treating people and involved with alot of research projects.

It looks like kids were having fun in the old hospital on the hill.

There were many forms of hydrotherapy.The different methods were used to stimulate or sedate a patient,relieve pain and insomnia,stimulate perspiration to eliminate toxins.Varied water temperature produced different effects on the patient.

Very thought out and excellent work with the camera, Hope we get to see more of these places. Checkout Minnesota sometime.