The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-08-10


great while. He was always very
passionate man. He had Two shocks of
the palsy. He was in the habit of 50 ex-
posing his nakedness.'
Cross-examined. These exposures
were within the last few months and in
his room; 1t was in hot weather used
to see him as passed his room in this
situation; this was lately, since The in
vestigation by committee of the town,
and since he was removed TO the other
part of The building where the windows
were, His arrangement exhibits itself,
in his being very passionate at times,
and then he would attempt 10 knock
any one down who gave him offence.
! could always get along with him, and
never had any difficulty.
Joseph Hammond, one of the defend
ants, was discharged from the complaint.
and admitted as a witness his testi-
mony was substantially as follows, viz -
| knew Rabbit as long as nine years be-
fore he was struck with the palsy. In
1920, at the time of the second shock
of the palsy, was practitioner of med
icine in the family, and was called in to
attend upon him. Since this second at
tack, his mental faculties have been
much impaired, and, as | conceive, in
consequence OF the disease. | have
considered him as partially deranged.
Rabbit was a man of very large appe-
tite-he used 10 trade for the Society.
and manage their active business.-But
after he gave Up The business, and lived
without exercise, his appetite continued
great--to me it seemed unnatural. |
think this had tendency 10 produce his
arrangement, by overlooking his stom-
ach with food, and causing determine.
ton OF blood TO The head. His derange-
ment was evidenced in sudden changes
IN ms conversation, in the violence of
opposite passions almost at the same
time; as laughing and crying-7anger
and calmness, &c.
Several other witnesses were called and
examined, but their testimony did not essen
TALLY vary the case.
For the defendants it was commended,
that they had right to contine those of
their number who were deranged, with
out the interference of any one, and 10
punish them corporealIy if necessary,
as the principle of fear was sometimes
the only one by which maniacs could be
subdued; that Rabbit was insane, and
the mode in which he had been treated
was Observation-Disclosures in fact than such
subjects are treated at hospitals, sc.
Also, that if the Imprisonment were i'm
proper, Sn application for a writ of ha-
beas corpus was the proper remedy.
1t was contended, on the other side,
that habeas corpus was but partial
remedy; at most it would but release
Rabbit from confinement; aud applica-
ton Tor this can be made at any time
whereas the present vas the proper
course, as 1t would bring home punish
ment directly upon the defendants il
they were guilty Of the charges made
IN the complaint. That on the suppose
ton that Rabbit was insane, the manner
In which he had been treated was Sc
we're, unjustifiable and cruel in the ex-
IRENE, and came under judicial cogai-
zance and if not insane, that the con.
duct of the Defendants was illegal and
deserving of severe punishment.
The case being considered as one Of
an aggravated nature, and beyond the
final jurisdiction of the magistrate, the
two Blanchards and Crouch, to whom
the evidence applied, were bound over
to the next term Of the Supreme Ju.
dlcial Court, first Tuesday in October
at Worcester. The other Defendants,
against whom there was no evidence.
were discharged.