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[Big Ed]

It's a movie documentary style shot by Joseph Wise back in the 60's.  It was a hard look at Bridgewater State Hospital in southern Massachusetts.  It was the hospital for the crimially insane.  It still is but it's administered by the corrections department now.  It was banned in Mass originally, stayed that way for 25 years.  It was unbanned about 1985 or so.  It's kind of a stark movie.  Two future patients of mine appeared in it.  Bridgewater was where the Boston Strangler was originally sentenced.

[autoguy]

Thanks Ed.  This looks very interesting.

[Peat Moss]

I had bid on a copy on ebay and they ended the auction early stating that someone had rights to it and it couldn't be sold.
Patti brought a copy home from school and we watched it, pretty scary stuff.

[StareGirl]

Very interesting movie.  I have seen it.  It can be found online.

The one scene that sticks out is the one where they forcefeed a patient while the doctor is smoking...the cig is hanging over the tunnel where they liquid food will go in.  This scene is stark because it is spliced with the scenes of the patient in his coffin.

If you can, see this.  It is the worst of the worst -- poor treatment, overworked staff and lack of funding.  Reminds me of how many changes we have made as a society.

[Peat Moss]

Some of the staff that appeared to be doctors treated things in such a "matter of fact way", it was very disturbing.

[Big Ed]

Well it was a very matter of fact place.    The guy they were tube feeding , at the time they were trying to save his life.  The 50's and 60's were tough times in mental health, all the hospitals were overcrowded.  In the 60's there wer 2,000 patients at Danvers in a place for less than half that number.  Bridge water was the same.  When you have as many people day after day after year your compassion quotient goes down.  You get very matter of fact about it.doesn't mean you don't try your best.  You just don't get sentimental about it.

[autoguy]

At the time that movies was made, the attitude tword smoking was much different.  In many states, nothing would have been said about wandering through a grocery store and smoking a cigarette.

I aquired and watched this video after it was suggested.  The doctor with the cigarette does appear to be a chain smoker, yes.

The man that refused to eat is ill, and he may have very well starved himself to death.  As is pointed out, his life is saved by the actions taken.

I would be curious as to what is currently done with some of the (types of) patients shown?  No, the naked patients in the cells is not a pretty sight.  I will guess they were in that position because they have issues handling their own bodily waste, will destroy any type of clothing or bedding they have, use any kind of item or material in dangerous way, harm themself or others, etc..  I'm sure those patients were not in that position because the staff intended on abusing them in some sadistic manner.  It was likely the only choice they had at the time for the safety of everyone involved.

Notice some of them had chamber pots and moved to go empty them when the cells were opened in the morning.  Some are asked if they had kept their rooms clean.  Some did not have a chamber pot, I imagine this is because they refuse to use them.  Notice how the cells are swept of the human waste.  The workers in that area could easily get a chamber pot of human waste thrown in their faces at any time, or be bombarded by feces.  I don't see the handling of patients in that condition as being an easy job.

At the beginning of the movie we see an interview with an admitted child molestor.  Reality hits hard as we see what these doctors have to deal with, absolutely.  "Matter of fact" is the only reality they have available.  I can understand why this movie created so much controversey.  Sometimes reality is a very hard thing to deal with.

[Peat Moss]

Perhaps "Matter of Fact" and "Overwhelming" are very close in these situations.

[Jude]

Well said Autoguy.   I have a feeling our Lynne will be mighty proud of you!   :wink:

Ma

[Lynne]

I certainly am!   =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>  =D>

[Big Ed]

Two of the patients in the film ended up on the floor I worked on.  I think they have since passed on.  One was a person who never should have been in the Mental Health system, he was MR.  Eventually made it to and MR group home .  The other was a deaf mute who was a peach of a guy till you got him angry, then watch out.  He was a very industrious caring person.  He asked for little, he was always a pleasure to be around.

[autoguy]

Aww shucks.  *toe in sand*  I feel so warm and fuzzy now.  

MR?  "Medium Risk"?

So it would seem the most controversial parts of the film were the confinement cells and the tube feeding.  Blurbs from those in the field cite advancements made over the conditions shown in this film.  "I would be curious as to what is currently done with some of the (types of) patients shown?"  Like those in the cells?  Maybe that remains the only choice available.  In which case, no answer to my question is needed.

A very interesting patient was the guy out in the courtyard outlining his views about the use of weapons, the manipulations of governmental powers, perverse uses of propaganda, etc..  I won't argue that he pulls a crab a couple times during his rant, but some of that stuff was not exacty wrong.  He was an excellent anarchist and his rant applies as much as ever to this day.

[Big Ed]

Short answer is I haven't a clue what happens to the patients at Bridgewater State Hospital anymore.  It is under the Department of Corrections now.  A prison hospital if you will, where the more serious forensic cases are sent.

Back in the movies day, Bridgewater was a place for the criminally insane, run by DMH.  They used to take the more serious forensic cases then as well.  It was also a place where other State hospitals could send thier more actively agressive clientele.  They went for " sensitivity " training, charm school, if you will.  They were returned when the more agressive tendencies were lessened.  How they did it, I don't know, didn't want to know, still don't.

[surly girl]

can anyone give me a link to find this online?

oh, and big ed? love the monty python ref in your sig....

[Big Ed]

http://www.subcin.com/titicut.html

Best of luck