The article describes a historical site in São Paulo, Brazil, which was once home to various civic institutions including the City Council, courthouse, and the Public Prison. In the early decades of the 19th century, the ground floor and basement of this building housed 'furious madmen,' individuals deemed mentally unstable who were sent by their families or picked up by police from the streets. These patients were kept alongside criminals and enslaved people considered disobedient, highlighting the lack of specialized psychiatric care during that period.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a historical account without overt ideological framing. It focuses on describing past conditions without taking sides or promoting specific political agendas. The narrative remains neutral, providing factual information about the treatment of mental health patients in a pre-mod




