Diary Written in the Provincial Lunatic Asylum

Published in 1885, 'Diary Written in the Provincial Lunatic Asylum' by Mary Huestis Pengilly is a first-person memoir detailing her experiences in a New Brunswick asylum. The diary reveals the harsh realities of mental illness care during the late 19th century, including the mistreatment of patients and the longing for compassionate care. Pengilly's reflections highlight the injustices faced by those labeled insane and advocate for humane treatment and reform in mental health care. This poignant account serves as both a personal narrative and a call for empathy in the asylum system.