"Probable Causes of Insanity" Among The Inmates of the State Lunatic Asylum, 1854

The new asylum building was equipped to handle 100 patients. Seven men, chosen by the Senate, were to serve as a Board of Managers. They were tasked to hire the superintendent, review all operations and expenditures, and visit the facility at least once a month to insure humane treatment of patients. This system remained in place until 1921 when a single governing board assumed these functions for all Missouri asylums.

Below is a list of the probable causes of insanity among the inmates as per the asylum's record.

Missouri State Archive

H/T sos.mo.gov