3,698 Comments Posted by Motts

Probably neither - I suspect some of the wards were painted by set designers for filming movies.

Yep...

Yes, the numbers were used to prevent social stigma of having a family member name tied to a state hospital, although I disagree on your blanket statement - the early days of the asylum era were often bleak, but not everyone was "left there to die;" many committed family members were visited regularly, and quite a few patients were voluntarily admitted on their own behalf.

Electrical outlet.

Thanks for the update, too bad it got so trashed!

Nope... no rodents, crickets, roaches, or anything living.

Yes, manhole covers on street-level can be lifted with anything resembling a crowbar-like hook and provide access to the catacombs network, if the shaft has rungs. I suppose they can't be sealed up either because they're used by official inspectors, or the police just don't know of their existence.

They're a bit risky though, as popping covers in the middle of a Parisian street can attract a fair amount of tension. I would think most cataphiles use these in the early morning hours, when streets are more desolate... the time of day doesn't matter once you're underground!

My friend's backpack - I didn't realize it was in the shot when I took it :)

I'm lucky in that regard and have a friend who spent some time down there a few years ago; he was kind enough to lend me the maps he used.

I saw two or three small cave-ins, but nothing that looked really scary dangerous on the routes we traveled.

Yes, I wear one when I'll be spending some time in a moldy environment or when near copious amounts of friable asbestos.

It didn't smell like decomposition, just pretty musty and moldy, so I guess somewhere in the 4 rating.

It sounded like stepping on a pile of wooden sticks, I suppose.

I think contacting Michigan's Department of Community Health would be a good start: http://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs