Pauper Lunatic Certificate
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Pauper Lunatic Certificate
A 1926 Pauper Lunatic Certificate certifying that workhouse inmate Ada Wheelhouse was feeble-minded and fit to remain in the workhouse, categorised as a lunatic. A note records that the woman died in 1933. Date: 1926
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Media ID 14147564
© Mary Evans/Peter Higginbotham Collection
1933 Certificate Died Inmate Lunatic Note Pauper Records Remain Workhouse 1926
EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "A Dawn of Despair: The Pauper Lunatic Certificate of Ada Wheelhouse (1926)" This hauntingly poignant image captures a snapshot of the past, revealing the stark reality of the British mental health system during the early 20th century. The document depicted in the photograph is a Pauper Lunatic Certificate, issued in 1926, for Ada Wheelhouse. As a pauper inmate, she was certified as feeble-minded and deemed fit to remain in the workhouse, categorized as a lunatic. The certificate, with its official seal and meticulous handwriting, serves as a chilling reminder of a time when mental health care was often inadequate and stigmatized. The note at the bottom records that Ada Wheelhouse passed away in 1933, leaving behind a tragic tale of institutionalization and isolation. The historical context of this certificate is essential to understanding the societal attitudes towards mental health during this era. The workhouse system, established in the late 16th century, aimed to provide relief for the poor and destitute, but it often led to deplorable living conditions and neglect. Those deemed "lunatic" or "feeble-minded" were frequently consigned to these institutions, where they were subjected to inhumane treatment and neglect. This photograph offers a glimpse into the past, shedding light on the often-forgotten stories of individuals like Ada Wheelhouse. It serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy, compassion, and understanding in the face of mental health challenges. The certificate's somber existence is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ongoing need for progress in mental health care.
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