All About America: America's First Public Mental Hospital

An eletrocution machine used at the Public Hospital in Williamsburg, Virginia.

The lancers (left) were used to bleed the patient to "remove harmful fluids". Scarificators (center) were bloodletting tools with a spring-loaded mechanism that snapped the blades out through slits to pierce the skin. With cupping (right), doctors warmed

The mortar and pestle (left) were used to mix and refine drugs, the syringe (center) was used to administer laxatives to rid the body of harmful or excessive fluids. Doctors carried the scales (right) as they made rounds so that they could weigh the correct dosage of medicine. 

During the "moral management"era of treatment, the hospital purchased games and musical instruments to divert patients' attention from "excessive self-preoccupation".

Patients cells improved as approaches to treatment of the mentally ill became kinder and more gentle.