Author: Nellie Bly / Year: 1864-1922 / Genre: Biography The question in hand was how Nellie managed to convince professionals of her insanity in the first place. As revealed in her first-hand account, Ten Days in a Mad-House, Nellie spoke of how the main physician that performed her examination was more focused on the attractive nurse that was assisting the examination than with Nellie herself. While physicians and staff worked to explain how she had deceived so many professionals, Bly's report prompted a grand jury to launch its own investigation with Bly assisting. The jury's report resulted in an $850,000 increase in the budget of the Department of Public Charities and Corrections. The grand jury also ensured that future examinations were more thorough such that only the seriously ill were committed to the asylum.
