Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-07-29

was sturdy old farmer, whose case pre-.
scented nothing remarkable, unless il be
the simple circumstance that one whose
pursuits are so healthful aud exhihra,ing,
and whose worldly condition was TO all
appearance SO comfortable, should have
become tho victim of spleen and melan.
choiy. Blu, not so the other case !. IN the
language OF the report Of the humane and
intelligent physician recommending their
discharge, il constitutes one Of the
proudes, iriumphs the institution can hoasi
IN its efforts TO achieve the noble designs
for which it was established"
The case was that of lady, who, nc.
cording to the testimony of her acquaint.
ances, had always possessed mid and
uniform disposiiion-wa industrious IN
her habits social in her feclings--and
had for many years been remarkable for
her Christian virtues and department.
She was member Of the Church, aud
looked up to as shining example of God
ly piety and Christian cheerfulness. A.
bou, fifteen years since her physical health
became in6rm, and for eight years, al.
though not confined 10 her bed, she con.
tinucd an invalld. In the autumn OF 1889
her health and strength declined more ra-
pidly and she was suddenly deprived Of
the use Of her upper and lower extrem!lcs,
and her back became SO feeble that she
was unable TO sit even in bed--and in tins
PROSTATE condition, without the power to
use her feet or arms for any purpose, or
even TO maintain the sitting posture one
hour at the time, she continued for seven
long years. Her mind alone seemed not
to be implicated in the general wreck, but
continued serene and tranquil, until some
time during the last summer. Her spirits
also continued cheerful, and she bore her
confinement and suffering with the utmost
resignation. In May 1910, however, be-.
ing worn down by disease, and having
abandoned all expectation or hope of i'm
provement, and feeling entirely sanguine
that the joys and happiness of Heaven
awaited her release from the sufferings
which had afflicted her in this world, she
expressed wish for death, and finally
grew impatient of delay. About this
time (July last) her brain began TO SYM
patiise with the general nervous disorder,
and its action became morbid. She now
reflected upon her previous anxiety to
die, and construed it as an act Of rebel
lious murmuring--andi instead of stoop-
ing at this point, as she would have done
at other times and under other circum.
stances. TO supplicate forgiveness at the
throne of grace-she gave way to despair
and one deluson after another took pos
session of her mind. But, we canno, fol-
low her, if indeed it would be proper TO do
so, through all her fearful wanderings.
1t is enough to add, that she attained at
length 10 that state, when she was prepar-
ed to say, that any change,
"a Be ii what il may, or bliss or torment,
Annihilaiion, dark and endless rest,
Or some dread thing, mans widest range Of
thought,
IL 9TH never yet conceived tina, change I'll dare,
Which makes me any thing but what am"
Yet even that poor refuge was denied
her in her delusicn. She thought she
could no, die.
In this condition she was brought to the
Asylum, during the month of November
last. Her frame could not have been
more emuciated, and except during her
maniacnl paroxysms, she was almost void
Of muscular power. DR.. Stribling al first
hesitated as to the propriety of attempting
to alay her excitement, thinking that in
all probability when that subsidized, she
must die. On consultation with her friends,
however, it was agreed that death was
preferable to her then condition, ard she
was accordingly put under the system of
medical and moral treatment, which her
case seemed to require.
1t would be exceedingly interesting,
(remarks the Physician in bis report)
could we follow her through the various
stages of her progress--watchng the hap.
py effect of remedies observing the slow
but well marked improvement, in her ply
steal and mental Witnessing
the almost irrepressible struggle which
she makes for seeing one
delusion after another unwillingly release
its hold-uniil we finally hear the excla-
nation bursting from heart big with
gratitude, Thank God that there is such
an Institution in the World ~ But this
pleasure must give place to the mole ex-
luisite one of summoning the individual
before you," &c. +" You will be no less
astouished than delighted to find tina: she
has been transformed into the same mild,
Christian lady, as when in for.
mer days she was the pride of her family,
and the ornament Of her sex. Reason
has fully resumed her sway, and dispelled
every vestigc Of error and deiuson. She
is now in better physical health than she
has enjoyed for fifteen years. Shc is no
longer helpless and PROSTATE, but is com
active, industrious and useful /;
in a word, she is herself again. !
This IS truly a remarkable instance OF
which the interests oil hu-
forbid us to pass overin silence
and we are sure that the worthy lady viii
not object 10 the use we make of II. She |
knows how 10 sympathize with the aftic- |
lions of a mind diseased and now that |
she has emerged from her own sore trials
she cannot be disposed to withhold the
benefit. which a knowledge Of her case
nav afford to others similarly afflicted. |
Well may she exclaim, in view Of the
mysterious dealings of Providence towards
Ter, ns an humble Christian,
sles, Heaven how are thy wsys just like Thy orbs
Involved within each other Yet siill wehad
Thy judgments are like come,s that do bluzs,
Alright. but die withsl; whilst tha, Thy aERcIss
Are like the stars, which off times are secured,
- 4 II ~ Il