The Wilmingtonian., 1824-03-18


,er head her last accents pronounced the nsma
of Henry. WlLFRED,
From an English Paper.
CURIOUS HYPOCHONDRIAC CASE,
The following case WAS communicated to rs
by a gentleman who is never SO enthusiastic in
his doctrines as to embellish them with that
which does not belong to them Dr. Eusabe de
Sale, Of whom we speak, treated the man himself,
and he related it to us, in order to show the ben
eft of humor,ns The patient, as we'll as the proba,
bile use of the shower bath in hypochondriac cases.
The patient was Partisan gentleman, about IS
years of age, and had suffered mentally from ta
death of dearly beloved young lady, TO whom
|he was to have been married. He was two years
|gradualy growing more and moro melancholy
land emaciated; and at last would lie in bed for
three, four or FIVE days together. regardless of
1sustenance, which he took more by the persua-
lsion Of his friends than from any callof nature.
Irhe doctor was sent for by his elder brother, on
account of paper which he wrote upon hypo-
lchonlria having fallen into the atter's hands On
Visiting the patient, the doctor found him in state
lof deep despondency, although not ofextreme de-
ibilny. He said it would be impossible for any
lphyscian to cure him. unless he could extinguish
lthr fire viii he said was confined within him.
At first it was thought that he spoke iguratively
meaning the FIRE of his feelings, but on furthet
explanation, he proved to the doctor that he
meant nothing fguratiye, but bona fde terrestrial
lire. lie declared he could feel the flames beat
ling Internally against his ribs, and faacied that
his breath was the smoke which assembled from it,
,lHe was perfectly rational on every other subject;
;|but always showed wish 10 return to that OF his
,ld,sorder, of which he would reason ingeniously.
lThe doctor passed an hour in conversation with
linn for the first time, and endeavnred to cons
,lyDce him that the fire could not possibly exist
within him he once observed to the patient that,
eyen admitting that fire could exist within him, it
lwould soon consume him; this the hypochoDdriao
met by saying, that the reason why he was not
burnt had been because there was no aperture to
admit the air into his breast below, which he said
clearly accounted for the phenomenon. Thus
would he argue, nor could all the Doctor said
conyince him Of his error Upon the second visit
ll.e patient was still more depressed than on tho
preceding, and he informed the doctor, with
lone Of sorrow, that he would burst al twelve
O'Clock the next day, and be blown to atoms; that
llhe wished to make his VIII, and to be brought
i ntn courtyard little before the explosion, in
Iorder that the house might not catch fire. The
doctor paused moment, as if he had been digest
,|ing the consequences of the approaching catas,
|trophe when he suddenly addressed his patient
,Iin the following manner -" My frend," said he.
II" I am now convinced that what you have said is
itrue-but think have hit upon remedy a.
4 ,rainst so unhappy an accident" This was re-
|continued the doctor, listen to my plan, and
am sure you will approve oft: propose to have
|you taken into the courtyard a few minutes be,
lore twelve O'Clock, and on the instant that you
i xpect the fire to burst out, quantity OF water
I,hall be poured over you so as completely 10 ex'
Iltnguish the fire.-I have read of case similar
,|fo yours, which was etiec,ually cured by such
iImeans and have no doubt of success in yours"
rhe hypochondrac seemed delighted with tho
lproDosa; hope SHOT across his countenance, and
Alhe smiled for the first time in two years. The
,lwboe of that day and night his spirits were light.
sler than before, and another hours conversation
lfdence. The friends of the patient being made
acquainted with the remedy intended to be EN-.
|ployed, all things were duly prepared, and II
Three minutes before 12he was led into the Cou"-
,Iyart. As it was the middle Of summer little b
leffects could ensue from stripping the patti,
> $50 accordingly it was done, and he was NJ s'
: |apon chair. the doctor beside him. As
sltakng leave of his relations and tie doctor.
: he did lest the cure should fal-he tu,neu .
: -denly to the latter and said, II see by youc tea
lit is within half minute: where's the wa.ee'
-haste! feel the fire rising !" At this instant the
1doctor gave the signal, and from window, di'
trec,ly above, large tub OF cold water was show
Tered upon his head. The column sunk HIM otf
uhs chair but he still cried to continue the water,
eswhich was done by four men with pals success.
n.sivelv. until he nearly tainted. He was then re-
.timoved to his bed room, rubbed we'll with dry
yiclo,bes took cordial Of hot vine, and was put
It to bed The good effect already began to show
d,i.self; for he shook hands with the doctor, and
kicalled him his saviour. Doctor de Sale repeated
1.-THE show-r-bath every second day, under the pre-
gtence of guarding against future attacks: and in
+ six weeks he became quite another man.