Hundreds of years ago it was a struggle to just live day to day, If someone was an "odd bird" the family handled it and if they had no family or were turned out , they likely died from lack of food or exposure. I do think its possible when you are faced with "get up and function or you will not eat or have a fire to stay warm type things , more people did get up and do things that had to be done.. do it or die... would be a good motivator I think.

Once hospitals showed up many people got tossed in there, but poor family's could not just drop there family members off , yes money talked back then too. Families also use to keep private things private and they often kept "odd birds" outta sight..

I feel there in a much higher % of people with MI now as opposed to then. All the processed foods, chemical treated preservitives and god knows what genetic alterations with crops and animals, soil contaminated with who knows what , etc

I am convinced that these things have caused a rise in MI. I will never change my mind on that fact.