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This is a three-part series regarding the historical causes, types, and treatments of insanity in the 19th and 20th centuries. Though focus is primarily on Kentucky institutions, these apply to other institutions throughout the United States. You can visit this page to read Kentucky’s historical lunacy laws. You can also check our glossary of anachronistic medical terminology.

The proceeding information should not be construed as medical advice. Please contact a physician or a licensed mental health practitioner if you have medical questions related to treatments of mental disorders.

Update: Check below as we have included a supplemental compilation of causes of death from all of Kentucky’s state hospitals. 

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Part I:

Causes of Insanity

You will notice that historical causes of insanity differ drastically from what we know of the etiologies of mental disorders in the 21st century. Though today’s modern world works off the historical aspects of mental illness causes, a century ago or even longer, clinicians were limited in their knowledge about mental disorders. The “causes” listed here are not comprehensive and are primarily based off of admissions records at state hospitals in the Commonwealth of Kentucky and throughout the United States. Please remember to keep a historical perspective when viewing this information.

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Part II:

Types of Insanity

In the 1880s, Dr. Allan M. Hamilton developed a series of illustrated plates that highlighted his posited theory on the physiognomy of insanity. Today, Dr. Hamilton’s work is largely disregarded as “quackery.” Please remember to keep a historical perspective when viewing this information.

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Part III:

Treatments for Insanity

This is a brief review of historical methodologies for treating mental disorders. In the latter half of the 20th century, a number of non-invasive methods were used as well. The proceeding information should not be construed as medical advice. Please contact a physician if you have medical questions related to treatments of mental disorders or a licensed mental health practitioner. Please remember to keep a historical perspective when viewing this information.

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Supplemental Materials

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Causes of Death

This information is a brief compilation of causes of death of patients in all of Kentucky’s state hospitals. These were obtained directly from death certificates. Please keep in mind that there might be redundancy and diagnostic terminology is not always the same as it is today.

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Observations of the Nature, Kinds, Causes, and Prevention of Insanity, Lunacy, or Madness

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Interested in reading more about this topic? The preceding linked public domain book, published in 1782, examines (now historical/antiquated) causes and treatments for insanity. Please remember to keep a historical perspective when viewing this information.

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Contributed by Phil Tkacz & Shawn Logan | contact@kyhi.org

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⁘ Works Cited ⁘

1. The Lexington Leader, 9 December 1949
2. The Lexington Leader, 12 December 1952

1. Arnold, T. (1782). Observations on the nature, kinds, causes, and prevention of insanity, lunacy, or madness : Arnold, Thomas, 1742-1816 : Internet Archive. London: Printed by G. Ireland, for G. Robinson, in Pater-Noster-Row, and T. Cadell, in the Strand.
2. “Anatomical diagram of the head and brain,” The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Digital Library, accessed May 28, 2019, https://www.cppdigitallibrary.org/items/show/1687.

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