Those considered insane, poor, sick, and criminal were committed to Blackwell Island. It was designed to help, to be a safe haven, but became a nightmare. Strange Country co-hosts Kelly and Beth dive into the conditions at Blackwell and talk about gratitude. While things are bleak now at least we don't have to bathe in other people's syphilis sores.
Cite your sources:
http://www.asylumprojects.org/index.php/Blackwell%27s_Island_Asylum
Horn, Stacy. Damnation Island