Two Years and Four Months in a Lunatic Asylum

by Hiram Chase

I have been urged ever since I left the Asylum, by
friends, to write my history of those two unfortunate
years, and give it to the public. This I did purpose
to do while I was in the asylum, as soon as I left it,
while all things would be fresh in my memory. But
after leaving that place, and mingling again with the
world and with my friends, the very thought of the
subject sickened me, for I desired to think and talk
as little about the matter as possible.

Besides this, in eighteen months after I left the
asylum I entered upon the regular work of the minis-
try again, and did not wish, while in the; effective
work of the ministry, to mix with it the history of
those two unhappy years, of which I knew; the public
had no adequate conception ; and which, if I should
write out faithfully, would develop facts which many
would disbelieve, while others would only laugh at
them, as freaks of my insanity, and not as sober
truths.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1868

Reviews

[Lwood · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective. I read this a week after reading Nellie Bly's "Ten Days in a Madhouse" c.1887. I was surprised to notice that H. Chase had postponed his book for three years because there were other books on the same subject being published and twenty years later Nellie Bly was in an asylum and things had not changed but seemed worse. His full title was Reverend Hiram Chase. He was a reverend before he went in and after he came out. For that time in history, I would have thought his views would have been revered.
I felt both books lacked detail. Many of the comment could have been more persuasive had they not been vague. Other than that the book was engaging. Started and finished it in one sitting.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lack of detail, but interesting to follow.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The major problem is exactly who committed him for what. At one point he admits it is his wife but never follows up on this.
Other than that, well done.

[Kelli Santistevan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this on LibriVox and it was sad what happened to the author but it was interesting to learn about what he experienced while he was there.