Funny Victorians ... or images from the 'madhouse'?

[River Tyne Lass]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2770925/amp/From-laughing-ladies-cheeky-children-These-funny-face-photographs-prove-ve-messing-camera-100-years.html

I came this old article today via 'Pininterest' on an email I received.
At first I thought these might be Victorians with a sense of humour but then I read some of the posted comments.  Someone suggests that some of these images may have been from the 'madhouse' and the people may have been suffering from encephalitis - so tragic rather than humourous.
It does make you wonder.

[magnacarta]

I think they all look too clean and tidy to be Victorian disturbed individuals.

[Viktoria]

I think inmates of“ Institutions” were kept pretty clean and tidy ,hair was kept short in case an inmate was admitted  who had head lice.

People were photographed for recording purposes but those photographs ought never to have been released .
Some were used by Drs in the interests of diagnoses , facial features which showed up in like conditions such as Down’s Syndrome.
So many of the poor souls would in these days be usefully employed ,they are very diligent once trained, and can give a great deal .
There are few “ Institutions” these days and sadly that means no safe haven for people who need a bit more support.

However those we can see on RC look to be people just having a laugh.
Viktoria.

[River Tyne Lass]

Thanks for your thoughts about these photos.  I am still not too sure though that these are all Victorians just having a laugh.  Hopefully, they are though.
I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised if they did take photos at Asylums, just in case anyone went missing.
I personally knew two people as I was growing up who had many years in a local asylum.
One was a son of my step Grandmother.  I have never found out what was behind his troubles but he seemed to have shell shock type symptoms and never made a full recovery even when he was deemed fit enough to go home and he lived his few remaining years under the care of his aged Mother and my Grandfather.
The other person was the Mother in law of my relation.  The story was that she had had a very abusive husband and had a breakdown.   It was very sad.  It was said she had once been a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair.   My relation would take her out for the day and I remember her as a very old woman who seemed to recognise no one and only responded to prompts. 
I wonder if many years ago sometimes the 'cures' actually made people worse.  Thank goodness things are much better these days for people who do experience mental breakdown.
Sorry for chuntering on but this has brought back memories.


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