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=Dorothea Dix (1802-1887)= = Dorothea Dix was an educator; a social reformer dedicated to changing conditions for the mentally ill, and overall a humanitarian. She was a leading figure in those national and international movements that challenged the idea that people with mental disturbances could not be cured or helped. Through her tireless work of over two decades, Dix established changes in the treatment and care of the mentally ill and improved prison conditions. Today, the results of her efforts can still be seen throughout the United States, Canada, and European countries. = = Dorothea Dix, an American educator, social reformer, and humanitarian =

Dorothea Dix was firstly an educator, and then a social reformer for the improvement in the treatment of patients suffering from mental and emotional disorders. Throughout her life, she worked with different committees to improve the care of the mentally ill worldwide. In addition, Dix covered much of the United States, and other countries inspecting institutions� conditions and neglectful practices toward the mentally ill, such as caging, incarceration without clothing, and painful physical restraint (Parry, 2006). In a period of fifteen years, this woman did more than most people do in a life time. At thirty-nine, she began a change in the United States with mental institutions. She inspired legislators in fifteen U.S. states to establish state hospitals for the mentally disturbed. Her persistent efforts affected the building of thirty-two institutions in the United States. Moreover, her achievements continue to influence the way patients are treated in today�s society. During her lifespan, Dorothea Dix was an American educator, social reformer, and humanitarian for the mentally ill population. **Life of Dorothea Dix ** Dorothea Lynde Dix was born on April 4, 1802, in the town of Hampden in Maine. She was the first child of three. Her parents were Joseph Dix and Mary Bigelow Dix. Her father was a traveling Methodist preacher and publisher of religious articles. As a distributor of spiritual articles, he continually moved his family from place to place (Viney, 1984). In the War of 1812, Hampden was taken over by the British. Therefore, the Dixs had to move to Vermont before the war began. However, soon after they moved to Vermont, her parents decided to move to Worcester, Massachusetts, where Dorothea grew up. Once the family was in Worcester, they had two more children, Joseph and Charles. Dorothea�s childhood was cheerless; this was mainly because of her parents� unstable household and the role of taking care of her two brothers. Dorothea�s childhood was not a happy one. As a child, Dorothea was required to stitch papers and paste religious tracts. Furthermore, even though no record exits of Dorothea being physically abused by her parents, it is believed that her father was an abusive alcoholic. The Methodist religion, at the time, believed that physical punishment was a religious obligation of its members ( Ghareeb, n.d.). On the other hand, Dorothea�s mother suffered from depression and was confined to bed for much of Dorothea�s early life. Unable to cope with the daily problems of a poor existence, she created a miserable home for Dorothea and her little brothers. Furthermore, when the Dix family moved to Worcester, Dorothea�s mother began suffering from acute headaches, and her father was drinking a lot. As a result, fighting in her household occurred on a regular basis. Once a fighting got out of control, Dorothea would go to her grandparent�s house in Boston. Her visits with her beloved grandfather Elijah Dix had apparently been the only bright spots in Dorothea�s childhood. However, even though she was raised in an unstable and nonexistent household, her father�s teachings were very influential in Dorothea�s life. When she was young, Dorothea�s father taught her how to read and write. Thus, her ability to read and write developed an interest for reading and teaching, as she taught her younger brothers to read and write as well (Bumb, n.d.). Then again, because the unhappy child felt neglected and abused, at the age of twelve she ran away. Dorothea moved to Boston in 1814 to live temporarily with her wealthy grandmother. In seeking refuge in Madam Dix�s house, Dorothea saw the only chance open to her of obtaining a fit education (Tiffany, 1891). Madam Dix, who was a strict and demanding disciplinarian, agreed to educate and train Dorothea. Dorothea�s life at her grandmother�s house was very different. Madam Dix demanded Dorothea to act and have interests of a wealthy girl (Bumb, n.d.). She even hired a dance instructor and a seamstress to cater to Dorothea�s personal needs. Having no formal preparation in matters of etiquette, Dorothea did not fit into the Boston society. She was uncomfortable, shy, and dressed mainly in ragged clothing (Ghareeb, n.d.). Consequently, at the age of fourteen, Madam Dix sent Dorothea to live with her sister, Duncan, in Worcester. Dorothea�s grandmother requested her sister to inculcate responsibly and help Dorothea to prepare for her anticipated adult role of mother and wife. Once she arrived at Madam Dix�s mansion, she would then take the role of a young lady. However, eager for knowledge and ambitious for more refined and intellectual social opportunities, Dorothea did not want any of these privileges (Tiffany, 1891). Therefore, as a way to stay out of the social circles in which she was uncomfortable, Dorothea wanted to become a school teacher. **Dix�s early years ****: compassion from deprivation. ** Dix�s childhood and early adulthood sensitized her to the plight of the less fortune. During her stay in Worcester, Dorothea, with much support from Edward Bangs, opened a school for children. Edward, who was Dorothea�s second cousin, was a well-known attorney. He became very interested in Dorothea and often spoke to her about future plans. When Dorothea told him that she planned on being a school teacher, Edward told her that girls were not permitted to attend public schools, but they could be taught by other women privately in a dame school (Bumb, n.d.). A dame school, at the time, was a private school with a female teacher. Edward was predisposed to help Dorothea�s dream to become to reality. He helped her find a place in which she could conduct a school. Edward located a store on Main Street in which Dorothea could hold her classes. At the age of fourteen, Dorothea opened a school for small children. In the fall of 1816, she had twenty pupils between the ages of six and eight. Her academic techniques were demanding and rigid (Viney, 1984). Dorothea ran this school for three years, with much support from Edward, for which she was very grateful. During this time, Edward would continually visit Dorothea and keep her company. Furthermore, when Dorothea was eighteen, Edward told her that he had fallen in love with her and eventually proposed marriage. She was afraid to accept, fearing a marriage like her parents. Marriage to her meant neglect of children, emotional outbreaks, fights, and heavy drinking (Bumb, n.d.). Eventually, Dorothea closed the school and return to her grandmother�s mansion in Boston. However, Edward followed her, and she finally agreed to marry him. Yet, they did not set a definite date of marriage because Dorothea realized her school was more important to her. Dorothea had previously spoken with her grandmother about opening a school in the Dix mansion for girls to get an education. Madam Dix was excited with Dorothea�s intensions and agreed to them. However, in the spring of 1821, Dorothea�s father died in New Hampshire. At the moment, she realized she was not supposed to marry Edward, and decided to return his engagement ring. In short, with the support of her grandmother, Dorothea�s plan was accomplished, and her life became devoted to teaching the poor and wealthy young women. Dix established a reputation as a capable teacher and a writer. In 1821, when Dorothea was back in Boston, she opened an elementary school in her grandmother�s house for older children. Dorothea managed to teach her classes and began writing several books for children. Her first book, //Conversations on Common Things//, was published in 1824. This book was quite popular and by the time of the Civil War, it had been reprinted sixty times. The book reflected Dix�s belief that women should be educated the same level as men (Parry, 2006). Unfortunately, Dorothea became more and more drained and eventually had a complete breakdown and severe hemorrhages. Dorothea suffered what is now called tuberculosis and depression. As a result, she was forced to close the school on 1826 because of her health complications that would later become reoccurring. During a period of recuperation, from 1824 to 1830, she focused on writing books of devotion and stories for children. She published four more books including //Hymns for Children, Meditations for Private Hours// in 1828, //The Garland of Flora// in 1829, and //American Moral Tales for Young Persons// in 1832. Dix�s record of publications and social circles allowed her to mix with some of the most influential thinkers of time (Parry, 2006). She formed a close relationship with Ralph Waldo Emerson. In addition, Dorothea gradually made acquaintances throughout Boston�s religious community. Even though Dorothea did not doubt the importance of salutary action to support social and personal growth, she struggled to find an appropriate religious context (Viney, 1984). Finally, Dix found religious fulfillment among the Boston Unitarian Community. She appreciated the Unitarian beliefs on the goodness of God, purity of heart, and responsibility for the good of all society (Viney, 1984). Furthermore, in the Federal Street Church in Boston, Dorothea established a social network of friends. She met Anne Heath, a member of the church, with whom she became lifelong friends and confidants. Dorothea also met the famous pastor of the church, William Ellery Channing, with whom Dorothea worked for. She was a governess for the Channing children and sometimes accompanied the family on vacations. In 1830, Reverend Channing invited Dorothea to accompany his family to the tropical island St. Croix. Dorothea went as the Channing children�s tutor and governess. The purpose of the trip was for the recuperation of Mr. Channing�s greatly impaired health. A visit to the tropics had been looked forward to by Dorothea with intense enthusiasm (Tiffany, 1891). However, Dorothea�s health broke down once again. Upon recovering, she spent time with the children exploring the beaches, flora and fauna. After staying in the Virgin Islands for a year, she returned to Boston. In 1831, Dix opened another school on the grounds of Madam Dix�s property, but she frequently suffered from bouts of illness. Dorothea established a model school for girls, and conducted it successfully for five years. The school gave Dorothea a source of income to support her mother and two brothers. However, by the age of thirty-four, while caring for her ill grandmother and teaching, Dorothea became very ill. Her intense commitment to teaching and demanding workload afforded too little sleep. She become more and more drained and eventually, had a complete breakdown and severe hemorrhages (Bumb, n. d.). The physicians of the time had no diagnosis or cure for Dorothea�s condition. Though she suffered from what is now called tuberculosis and depression. In addition, Dix suffered from depression at different points in her life, and experienced a type of mental breakdown (Gollaher, 1995). Certainly, her ill health ended her work as a teacher, and her school was forced to close. She eventually abandoned teaching. In spite of this, Mr. Emerson, Reverend Channing, and Dorothea�s doctor encouraged her to take a restorative trip to England. Dorothea traveled to England in 1836, where she was highly influenced by the British society and learned new theories of treatment for mentally ill individuals. She sailed to Europe to recuperate in the Italian sunshine, but unfortunately, Dorothea fell ill again. However, she was fortunate to be taken care of by reverend Channing�s English friends, William and Elizabeth Rathbone III. The Rathbones took her as part of their family, and Dorothea spend a year as their guest at Greenbank, their mansion in Liverpool. It was in this loving household that Dorothea learned what it was like to have a family. Furthermore, the Rathbones were Quakers and prominent social reformers. Mr. Rathbone entertained a number of well known persons, and as a result, Dorothea had the opportunity to meet men and women who believed that the government should be more active in the social welfare. She met prison reformer Elizabeth Fry, and Samuel Tuke, founder of the York Retreat for Mentally Disabled. Moreover, Dorothea was exposed to the British lunacy movement, whose methods involved investigations of asylums. After her recovery from the illness, Dorothea visited the York Retreat. It was there that she discovered the principles of treatment that would later influence her movement in America (Ghareeb, n.d.). In the York Retreat, mentally ill individuals were provided outdoor tasks, good nutrition, and humane treatment. Dorothea learned new theories of caring for the insane, such as moral treatment, isolation from family and society, less use of mechanical restraints, and useful tasks to keep the patients busy (NC Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). In addition <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">, she witnessed the insane being taken care of with dignity and respect. In short, Dortohea�s ideas that full recovery could be made if the mentally ill were treated and cared for compassionately were beliefs Dorothea maintain and brought to every aspect of her work as a reformer (Ghareeb, n.d.). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">Dorothea�s way of life significantly changed. Both her mother and grandmother died while she was in England, resting and recovering. When she returned to Boston in 1838, she found that her grandmother had left her an inheritance. For the next few years, Dorothea visited distant relatives and friends and traveled to various resorts and points of interest. Dorothea�s inheritance and the royalties from her books sustained her comfortably for the rest of her lifetime. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">It was on March 28, 1841, that Dix found about the inhumane treatment for mentally ill individuals in jails and almshouses. John Nichols, a Harvard ministerial student, invited Dorothea to teach a class of twenty female inmates in the East Cambridge Jail (Ghareeb, n.d.). Dorothea volunteered and after the lesson was over, she took a tour through the jail. What she found changed her outlook on life forever. Dorothea went down to the lower level of the building, the dungeon cells, where the mentally ill individuals were kept. They were held in horrid conditions with no heat, no light, little or no clothing, no furniture, and without sanitary facilities (Ghareeb, n.d.). In addition, mentally ill individuals were cramped together in rooms with prostitutes, drunks, and criminals, irrespective of their age or sex (Bumb, n. d.). Furthermore, men and women were chained to walls, looked into cages, closets, cellars, and stalls, beaten with rods, and lashed into obedience. They were also brutalized, underfed, and sleeping on stone floors (NC Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). After witnessing these conditions, she took the matter to the courts and became determined to improve conditions for the mentally ill. She started a campaign to have stoves placed in the cells and to have the inmates fully clothed (NC Department of Health and Human Services, 2007). She found she had to fight every form of prejudice in order to improve treatment conditions for the mentally disabled. In short, Dorothea�s discoveries at the Cambridge, Massachusetts jail started her life�s work to improve conditions for the mentally ill. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Dix�s middle years: comforting the mentally distraught. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Dorothea�s traumatic experience with tuberculosis and depression helped make her a more compassionate advocate for the mentally ill population. Her experience in the East Cambridge jail made Dorothea wonder about conditions in jails and almshouses. Dorothea then proceed to visit jails and almshouses, where the mentally disabled were kept in Boston, and soon her investigations extended over the state of Massachusetts. Dorothea traveled for nearly two years throughout the state, observing similar conditions in each institution. Her discovery at the East Cambridge jail was not the exception, but the norm. Mentally ill individuals were indeed housed together in unheated, unfurnished, foul-smelling quarters (Bumb, n. d.). In brief, Dorothea prepared herself to embark upon a mission of reform, to call for decent accommodations for those suffering from unstable mental and emotional conditions. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">During two years, from 1841 to 1843, Dorothea learned more about the inhumane treatment for mentally disabled individuals and was devoted to the study of the most advanced methods in the humane and scientific treatment for mental illness (Tiffany, 1891). Dr. Woodward of the Worcester Asylum, Dr. Luther V. Bell of the McLean, and Dr. John S. Butler of the newly erected Lunatic Hospital of Boston were her main teachers (Tiffany, 1891). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">As Dorothea learned more about the inhumane treatment for mentally disabled individuals, she developed a remarkable plan to provide an intellectual foundation for her reforms. She began reading literature on mental illness and treatment facilities, and studied the work of reformers Philipe Pinel, Benjamin Rush and William (Viney, 1984). In addition, she interviewed physicians about diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. To learn more about treatment, Dorothea interrogated inmates, caretakers, and townspeople. As she visited jails and almshouses all over Massachusetts, she collected data on the number of occupants in overcrowded facilities. She also kept detailed notes on the conditions in which mentally ill individuals were kept. She wrote about the mentally ill being chained in cellars, living in deprived conditions, and no means of proper warmth. Finally, she put together all this data and prepared a memorial to be delivered to the legislature. Memorials were the only means by which a woman could participate in political life in the United Stated during 1800s. Women could neither vote nor hold any political office at the time. In addition, women could not present memorials to the legislature; a male representative had to introduce the report. In summary, Dorothea�s upsetting reports about the inhumane treatment towards mentally ill individuals influence political leaders into taking action on her behalf (Parry, 2006). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">In 1843, Dorothea�s written memorial was presented to the Massachusetts Legislature and won legislative support. The memorial was presented by Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, Director of the Perkins School for the blind, and an advocate for the mentally ill. The memorial was first received with criticism and denial because of the popular belief that the insane would never be cured and therefore, living within dreadful conditions was acceptable for them. However, Dorothea�s proposal of improving the conditions and treatment methods for the mentally ill demonstrated that mental illnesses were treatable. After a heated debate over the topic, the memorial provoked attention and Dorothea�s findings were confirmed. A bill addressing the exposed conditions passed due to Dix�s powerful conviction and connections with influential politicians (Ghareeb, n.d.). The legislature assigned funds for a large expansion of the State Mental Hospital at Worcester. This victory motivated Dorothea to wider efforts. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Dorothea traveled to other US states and continued publishing memorials. She traveled extensively to jails and almshouses in a state, made careful descriptions of the treatment conditions, and prepared a memorial, trying to convince those in authority of the need of improvement in the care of the mentally ill. Although her health was very poor, Dorothea�s persistence and compassion were effective in stimulating legislatures in fifteen US states to pass bills for humane treatment of the mentally ill. She practically extended her labors over the whole country; she went into the Middle States, to the West and far West, and through the South. Dorothea�s second victory was in Rhode Island, where she played an important role in the improvement of treatment and care of the mentally disabled. Furthermore, in 1844, she presented a memorial to the New York State Legislature, and in 1845 two more to New Jersey and Pennsylvania lawmakers. Dorothea�s work affected the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Maryland (Ghareeb, n.d.). In conclusion, for over a decade Dix�s memorials were presented in state after state. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Next, Dix devoted her time and energy in working with committees to draft the enabling legislation and appropriations bills needed to build asylums. In 1846, Dorothea traveled to Illinois, studied its treatment conditions of mental illness and prepared a detailed memorial. However, she became ill and her report was not ready until 1847. Fortunately, it adopted legislation and as a result, the first State Mental Hospital was built in the state of Illinois. In 1848, Dorothea also visited North Carolina and called for reform in the care of mental ill patients. In 1849, the construction of an institution was authorized in Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina. The hospital was named in honor of Dix and it was opened in 1856. Moreover, Dorothea played an important role in the founding of the first public mental hospital in Pennsylvania, and the Harrisburg State Hospital. Hospital after hospital was build, along with improvements made to existing facilities. Altogether, Dix helped in the funding of thirty-two mental hospitals. In short, she was a significant figure in establishing fifteen schools for the mentally ill, a school for the blind, libraries in prisons, mental hospitals, training facilities for nurses, and other institutions Bumb, n. d.). <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**Dix�s Later Years: Reformer to the end.** Long after her work with reforming the treatment at the mentally ill population, she continued her work. In 1848, Dix submitted the Bill for the Benefit of the Indigent Insane to Congress. The legislation�s purpose was to set aside 12,225,000 acres of Federal land for the use of building mental institutions to care for the mentally ill, blind, mute, and deaf populations (Ghareeb, n.d.). By 1851, the bill had passed the Senate, but failed in the House. Finally in 1854, it passed both the Senate and House of Representatives. President Millard Fillmore favored the act, but the bill did not reach his desk before his term was over. Unfortunately, President Franklin Pierce vetoed the bill, arguing that the federal government should not commit itself to social welfare, which was properly the responsibility of the states. After her fighting Dorothea was tired and decided to travel to Europe to rest from her thirteen years of advocating for the mentally ill. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In 1854, Dorothea traveled to Europe and continued to inspect jails and almshouses and advocate for the improvement of treatment for the mentally ill population. She reconnected with the Rathbones and conducted investigations and evaluations of mental health facilities. Dorothea found about the disparity between private hospitals for the wealthy and public facilities for the poor in Europe, and advocated for reform on treatment for the mentally ill (Viney, 1984). She traveled to different places and initiated many changes. Some of the places she traveled to were England, Scotland, France, Australia, Italy, Rome, Rome, Greece, Turkey, Russia, and Germany. Upon finding terrible hospital conditions in Rome, Dorothea managed to get an audience with Pope Pius IX. She discovered that priests, monks, and nuns did not practice a decent and humane care for the mentally ill. Pope Pius IX was moved by her appeal and ordered a construction of a new hospital for the care of mentally ill patients. This was Dorothea�s most significant European accomplishment in Rome. Furthermore, before her return to the United States, Dorothea evaluated hospitals and prisons and recommended reforms. In brief, from 1854 to 1856, Dorothea made an effective change in the way Europeans dealt with the mentally ill and carried her work to different countries such as Canada, and Japan, with hospitals being established in these locations. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In 1856, when Dorothea was back in the United States, she resumed her reform work and volunteered as a nurse in the Army. Upon her return to America, Dorothea traveled to Texas and other states of the south to continue her work Ghareeb, n.d.). However, in 1861, the Civil War began. A week after the attack on Fort Sumter, Dorothea she decided to volunteer as a nurse to form an Army Nursing Corps (NC Department of Health and Human Services, 2007) . She was appointed Superintendent of Nurses for the Union Army. Serving in that position without pay through the entire war, Dorothea quickly modeled her defined duties. Her tasks were to organize first aid stations, recruit nurses, purchase supplies and help set up training facilities and field hospitals (Viney, 1984). However, due to her poor health, she had great difficulty with the position. Her strict ideas of duty and discipline were not shared by the nurses. In addition, she was often at odds with doctors over their neglect of sanitation (Viney, 1984). Although she was often discouraged by the problems of inadequate facilities, supplies, and staff, Dorothea carried out her duties until the end of the war. She organized hundreds of women volunteers into nursing corps. She set up emergency training programs, distributed supplies, and processed and deployed nurses. Dorothea�s nurses provided what was often the only care available in the field to confederate wounded. Furthermore, she remained as a Superintendent of Nurses until 1866. She then spent a year helping families locate missing men who had served in the war. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">In 1867, Dorothea again took up work for the mentally ill, and lobbied for money to rebuild the hospitals that were destroyed during the war. However, she found a swelling population of mentally ill individuals and depleted state treasuries. Hospitals earlier built were overcrowded, understaffed and in despair. In short, Dorothea continued to help in the rehabilitation of those facilities which had been neglected or damaged during the war. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">The years passed, Dorothea�s work never slowed until she fell ill in 1881. At the age of 80, she retired and lived at a private apartment close to the New Jersey State Hospital. For several years prior to her death, Dorothea was incapacitated to such an extent that she could not leave her bed and was under the constant care of a nurse. Her vision and hearing were failing, and she was in frequent pain. However, her mind remained alert; she continued to write letters to support her movement for the mentally ill. Sadly, Dorothea passed away on July 17, 1887. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Dix�s beliefs ** **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Dix�s beliefs on education. **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Dorothea�s views about different issues were radical at the time. She disagreed on popular beliefs held by the general community about education. Dorothea believed that men and women should be educated to the same level as men (Parry, 2006). Her idea can be reflected on one of her most well-known books, //Conversations on Common Things.// This book was published in 1824, and by the time of the Civil War, it had been reprinted sixty times. //Conversations on Common Things// was written in the style of a conversation between a mother and a daughter, and directed at the young women who dominated the teaching profession (Parry, 2006). Her belief on education can also be seen through her teaching career. At an early age, Dorothea decided to teach young children and women regardless of social economic status. She taught poor girls and wealthy girls in a dame school, since girls were not permitted to attend public schools. In short, Dorothea�s ideas about education can be illustrated through her career teaching and written books. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">**Dix�s beliefs on the mentally ill and treatment.** Dorothea�s beliefs about the mentally ill population were different from those that the general community held. Throughout the Middle Ages, superstition, fear, and a lack of understanding of the nature of mental illnesses dominated individuals� ideas about mental illnesses. Individuals of the time supposed that the bizarre behavior of people afflicted with psychological disorders was seen as the work of the devil and witches (Barlow & Durand, 2005). Unfortunately, evil continued to be blamed for the unexplainable behavior through the centuries. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">Furthermore, in the 1800s, individuals lack knowledge about affective treatment methods for the mentally disabled. The popular belief was that the mentally ill would never be cured and living within their miserable conditions was acceptable for them. As a result, mentally ill individuals were locked up in local prisons or almshouses, often under conditions worse than those for the criminals who might be cramped with them. They were held into cages, closets, and cellars, with no heat, no light, little or no clothing, and without sanitary facilities. In addition, they were beaten with rods, underfed, and lashed into obedience. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">In Contrast, Dix believed that full recovery could be made if the mentally ill were treated and cared for compassionately (Ghareeb, n.d.). Moreover, just by improving the conditions in prisons and almshouses, Dorothea demonstrated that the mentally ill could be helped. The model of care that Dorothea supported was moral treatment. ** Moral Treatment **, also known as Moral Therapy or Management, was an approach to mental disorder based on humane psychosocial care and moral discipline. In short, she advocated kindness and firmness, and contributed to the eventual demise of moral treatment in American hospitals. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in;">**Summary/analysis:** The great crusader Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) campaigned endlessly for reform in the treatment of the mentally ill. A school teacher who had worked in various institutions had firsthand knowledge of the inhumane conditions imposed on the mentally ill, and made it her life�s work to inform the American public and politicians of these abuses. Her work became known as the mental hygiene movement. The mental hygiene movement was the mid-19th-century effort to improve care of the mentally disordered by informing the public of their mistreatment (Barlow & Durand, 2005). Throughout her life, she struggled to improve the care of the mentally ill not only in the United States, but in other countries as well. In addition, Dix inspired to establish state hospitals for the mentally disturbed. The model of care that Dorothea supported, moral treatment, was developed from the work of French psychiatrist Philippe Pinel and from new practices used at hospitals such as England�s York Retreat. Furthermore, Dix worked hard to make sure that everyone who needed care received it, including the homeless. As a result of her efforts, humane treatment became more available in US institutions. Unfortunately, Dorothea�s prospects of success were dimmed by a massive immigration after the Civil War, and as a result, the numbers of mental patients increase in institutions. Her tireless efforts and advocacy could not ensure sufficient staffing to allow the individual attention necessary to moral therapy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Barlow, H. D., & Durand V. M.(2005). //Abnormal Psychology: An intergrative approach// (5th ed.). Canada: Wadsworth Cengage Learning. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Bumb, J. (n.d.). //Dorothea Dix.// St. Louis, Missouri: Webster University, Psychology Department. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Ghareeb, L. (n.d.). Dix, Dorothea. Available at []. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Gollaher, D. (1995). Voice for the mad: The life of Dorothea Dix. New York: The Free Press. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Encyclopedia of the Civil War. (2005) //<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Dorothea Dix. //<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> Retrieved November 22, 2010, from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">http://www.civilwarhome.com/dixbio.htm. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">NC Department of Health and Human Services (2007). //Biography of Dorothea Lynde Dix.// Retrieved August 30, 2010, from <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">[] <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Parry, M. S. (2006). Dorothea Dix (1802-1887). //American Journal of Public Health,// 96 (4), 624-625. <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.5in;">Tiffanny, F. (1891). //Life of Dorothea Lynde Dix//. Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Viney, W. (1984). Dorothea Lynde Dix: Positive or negative influence on the development of treatment for the mentally ill. //The Social Science Journal,// 21(2), 71-82. //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';"> PsycINFO //<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">. EBSCO. Web. 14 Nov. 2010.