The Faces of Bedlam

These photographs of patients at the Bethlem Royal Hospital were taken in the mid-1800s in order to examine their faces for clues to better understand their mental health conditions. This technique was based on the 19th century study of face physiognomy, also known as face reading, just one of many ways humans have tried and failed to understand the human mind throughout history.

Join me this week as I unpack the history of mental health, how it’s been viewed, how it’s been treated, and how much we got wrong. You can find History Fix wherever you listen to podcasts (or link in bio).