Final answer:
In the 19th century, there were no facilities for the treatment of the mentally ill, so reformers established public institutions like asylums. These institutions provided treatment and housing for the mentally ill and aimed to help them become functioning members of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 19th century, there were no facilities for the treatment of the mentally ill, so many ended up in prisons. Reformers believed that social deviants, including the mentally ill, could be reformed through the establishment of public institutions. These institutions, including asylums, were created to provide treatment and housing for the mentally ill, and to help them become functioning members of society through proper care and treatment.
It is important to note that the approach to treating the mentally ill has evolved over time. In the past, methods such as purging, bloodletting, and ice-cold baths were used, but these practices have been largely discredited as ineffective and inhumane. Today, the focus is on providing humane treatment, understanding, and concern for the mentally ill.