Mental illness is now a fully accepted disorder, but throughout much of history was considered the work of the devil.

Often those afflicted would end up suffering horrendous treatments and terrible grief

in hospitals that treated them more like prisoners rather than patients. These are the four most insane and notorious

mental asylums ever. Number four, London's Bethlehem Royal Hospital.

Founded in 1247, the Bethlehem Royal Hospital started as a priory for. Mary of Bethlehem.

It was initially created to serve as a collection center for the Crusades

and eventually transitioned into becoming a hospital catering to the mentally

insane, with its first patients being admitted around the 15th century.

Since it was founded, it has moved to four different locations, with its horrific reputation

only growing every time.

The first building was a bungalow type structure with 12 cells for the patients.

There was a small kitchen, exercise yard, and a chapel at the center.

It was built on top of a sewer and the drain would frequently get blocked,

resulting in foul waste overflow every single time.

For the first 100 years, it was the monks that handled the

hospital and took in those who were dubbed mad folks at the time. Though their

intentions were pure, the monks were nonetheless harsh in their treatment.

Those admitted were given bland vegetable-free meals to ensure the spirit or illness inside them wouldn't be fed. Then they were punished and

placed in solitary confinement to help them come to their senses. By the time the

hospital transferred to Moorfields it had switched owners and put under the care of the city of London.

The second building was more lavish than the first. At its entrance were two human statues, one depicting melancholy and the other madness.

It was dubbed the palace for lunatics.

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