Dr. Selden Haines Talcott (1842-1902)
Dr. Selden Haines Talcott was born on the family farm in Rome N.Y. in 1842, His ancestor John Talcott was one of the first settlers of this country, coming from England in 1633 on the ship Lyon. Selden served in the union army, fifteenth regiment, for one year and then finished his education, ultimately graduating with a medical degree from New York Homeopathic College, achieving valedictorian in 1872. After working at various medical institutions around New York City with distinction, he accepted the position of superintendent of the New York State Homeopathic institute in Middletown in 1877. This hospital was known for its innovative and humane treatment of the mentally ill. The hospital helped to change the routine treatment of the mentally ill from straight jackets, chains, and various torturous methods that had no scientific basis into evidenced based and humane therapies involving homeopathic principles including fresh air, exercise, individualized treatment based on the patient’s desires and reports, and utilizing the patients inner healing power. In fact Dr. Haines was instrumental in forming a baseball league which included other hospital patients and teams not associated with any hospital. This league enjoyed a celebrated status and was attended by thousands of spectators over the years from the New York City metropolitan area. Dr. Haines worked at this hospital until his death. He was involved in numerous organizations and charitable causes in Middletown and wrote many medical articles and books which were considered cutting edge for his time. He was a well-known lecturer of Homeopathy touring around the world giving lectures to the medical community. This hospital continued to function and grew over the years. At one time it had many thousand patients, hundreds of employees, and was incorporated as its own village. It is now functioning at a much reduced capacity and administered by Rockland County Psychiatric Center.
Dr. Selden Haines Talcott was born on the family farm in Rome N.Y. in 1842, His ancestor John Talcott was one of the first settlers of this country, coming from England in 1633 on the ship Lyon. Selden served in the union army, fifteenth regiment, for one year and then finished his education, ultimately graduating with a medical degree from New York Homeopathic College, achieving valedictorian in 1872. After working at various medical institutions around New York City with distinction, he accepted the position of superintendent of the New York State Homeopathic institute in Middletown in 1877. This hospital was known for its innovative and humane treatment of the mentally ill. The hospital helped to change the routine treatment of the mentally ill from straight jackets, chains, and various torturous methods that had no scientific basis into evidenced based and humane therapies involving homeopathic principles including fresh air, exercise, individualized treatment based on the patient’s desires and reports, and utilizing the patients inner healing power. In fact Dr. Haines was instrumental in forming a baseball league which included other hospital patients and teams not associated with any hospital. This league enjoyed a celebrated status and was attended by thousands of spectators over the years from the New York City metropolitan area. Dr. Haines worked at this hospital until his death. He was involved in numerous organizations and charitable causes in Middletown and wrote many medical articles and books which were considered cutting edge for his time. He was a well-known lecturer of Homeopathy touring around the world giving lectures to the medical community. This hospital continued to function and grew over the years. At one time it had many thousand patients, hundreds of employees, and was incorporated as its own village. It is now functioning at a much reduced capacity and administered by Rockland County Psychiatric Center.