"Cruelty to a Lunatic at Sheffield"

                                       

"Cruelty to a Lunatic at Sheffield"

Published on Saturday, December 9, 1871, the Illustrated Police News (Issue 408) details the assault of a "lunatic" by the name of Mrs. Biggin, in a workhouse by the 'lunatic' ward's head nurse, Mrs. Madley. Mrs. Biggin was labeled as 'mad' and during the assault was said to be in the middle of a fit of sorts, as the newspaper states she was "raving mad" (December 9, 1871).  The nurse allegedly tied Mrs. Biggin to the bed by her hair, dumped water and filth on her, and gave her two black eyes.  Mr. Willington, the medical officer, went to examine Mrs. Biggin's condition, and while doing so Mrs. Madley stated that during the night Mrs. Biggin fell into the fireplace, and sustained her condition through that event.  Mrs Biggin was also bound in a strait waistcoat, as Willington recalls, and with ropes that he asked Mrs. Madley to untie.  The description of the event appears to show a biased towards gender.  In contrast to Mrs. Madley, Mr. Willington is portrayed as almost a savior to Mrs. Biggin, while Mrs. Madley is seen as an aggressor.  No where in the article is Mrs. Madley allowed to defend herself, while Mr. Willington gets the privilege to speak for himself, Mrs. Madley and Mrs. Biggin.  

This case received an abundance of press coverage, as the newspaper states that this story appeared in other papers, such as the London and Provincial Papers.  This shows how the case was sensationalized, but it also shows how the abuse of 'lunatics' was not ignored during the late 19th century.  It seems the public seeks to understand the relationship between the mentally sound and the mentally disabled.  The column states, "The stipendiary's court in the Town Hall was crowded to its utmost capacity," on the day of the trial (The Scene in Court).  However, it may more so suggest the public enjoys the idea of a woman labeled as an aggressor.  During Mrs. Madley's trial, she keeps a veil covering her face, hiding her emotions from those in the courtroom.  Mrs. Madley is, therefore, a blank canvas which the masses can project their own opinions onto.  The newspaper also focuses a great deal on her outer appearance, as though people would be able to distinguish a woman's character in regards to morality based on her facial and body structures-"She has dark hair, a not very lofty forehead, dark eyes, and tolerably well-shaped nose"(Mrs. Madley, The Nurse).  Those involved who acted as witnesses in the trial also said that Mrs. Madley was drinking during the time of the incident as well as, when Mr. Willington came to examine Mrs. Biggin. The column does not end with the trial's verdict, but the witness's perspective of the events, which highlights the cruelty of Mrs. Madley's actions.  Therefore, the audience of the newspaper is left with the witness's testimony as the truth, rather than the trial's final verdict or Mrs. Madley's own narration of the story.

This act of violence committed by a woman against another woman, whom was seen as lesser showcases that violence usually has a power dynamic associated with it.  As a head nurse, Mrs. Madley, holds authority over Mrs. Biggin and Mrs. Biggin, as seen through her diagnosis as a 'lunatic' was not in sound mind to fully understand what was happening to her.  This aspect is sensationalized throughout the column.  Mrs. Biggin is characterized by the column as poor and unfortunate, relaying her tragic life to the reader as her husband is paralyzed and two of her eldest children died of smallpox.  The information the newspaper includes manipulates the reader into believing what the media wants the reader to believe.  The newspaper is not unbiased.  This is seen through the characterization of Mrs. Madley and Mrs. Biggin.  Mrs. Biggin is seen as defenseless, while due to Mrs. Madley's appearance and apparent drinking problem, she is already conceived as guilty and immoral before the verdict is stated.  As the accused is a woman, it is possible that the portrayal of the 'lunatic' as a victim is a rarity within 19th c. England, which is also suggested through the amount of newspapers covering the event.  For example, if the accuser was a man who harmed a 'lunatic,' he may not be as blatantly portrayed as an immoral being as Mrs. Madley was.  Unfortunately, it appears that those of unsound mind during the 19c. were not beginning to be humanized, but rather aggressive woman became a great concern of 19th century English society.