The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-04-02

have saa h; LirrIrcorr siirmed-I know s. Mercer
tor Of Medicine; had known him hey; am MI, S
hree evenings othe week about four or aare ago
Februsry have mere IN prison since the ohof
nnties OF seeing insane persons the Philadenbis Hos
p,a attended there one year; waiked the hospital
conversations, appearances &C. From all of hch ami
from my own knowledge, do not believe when first
saw him that he at his entrance into the
have sat by at this trial. and have the tes
detailed do you think them symptoms ofinsanlty'
frequently
A-lha
Q-What was it7
AE,Ithought he needed some consolation. 1t was my
opinion that his intellect would unless he
received some consolation
Crossexamined by Mr.. MoLLrsoN--I had my doubts of
ms sanity at my first visit Subsequent Intercourse
hrmed those doubts. When first visited him found him
aboring under great excitement which manifested
by flushed observation-disclosures of manner-wild
ness OF the eye-incoherent conversation conspa
ton For these reasons doubted his sanity. BY cons
patton mean irregularty of the bowels learned by
nearhg him speak OF it. Inquired of him number of
tim and he complained of his head Think this
.ne next day. believe myself that insanity is dis
ease Of the mind, and not OF the body
ha nere Is difference between unnatural and
ne.ny condition OF the nerves. there all grades of
distinction between these conditions; think have ne
yer met with case Of insanity which had for its foun
upon to visit patient in that condition of the BRAIN
would require as evidence of deusion strange idea;
Mr.. Mol LEsoN-State them.
WrSEssAny alteration of the function of the brain Is
natural functions Of the brain. some Of the audience
looked very wise about this time The evidence that
would Salty of alteration of the functions are the
symptoms have previously given which are intense
excitement flushed counsnaAce g, &C. Extreme excite
ment consider about the evidence the symptoms
have named; do not consider Singleton MERGERS brain
| now in perfectly healthy condition: .....
Q-Do you now regard him perfectly saneH E.sIiEs
Al should think him very susceptible, to say the
least.
Mr. MoLLEsoN-Do you decline answering thelquestion
w'rrr pre.gns SANITY 5,e
Being further Questioned witness said he had attended
upon Singleton Mercer professionally since in prison.
When FIRST called on him. administered to him ca
tharc and consolatioL-physcal and moral treatment.
Inc Court here adjourned for dinner.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
Or. L'rriNcorT rccaedI did not in my testimo-
ny this morning that delusion an attendant
haveconversed with number Of gentlemen upon this
subject since was last examined; the patients natural
character is an nvsrabe test of nsany know of
better rue the natural character of the person
ed with the character of the insane then observ
point on which he deviates respect the point of de-
vlaticn IN the prisoners the most prominent his
sisters disgrsce in the of Mercer
ed into his whole history in delicate a manner as I
could On Saturday the llth the day which he csme
here, was with him about hour. My enquiries ere
principally limited the matters which have originated
this investigation.
niiy. r'' $3.50
Al have already given them he Ieye the best test
wehave; Singleton was either greatly excited else de-
ranged.
| Mr.. MoLLFsoS-You say that with the greatest
safety.
WIrrEss-As soon as entered the room I observed
that his counenance was nushed-h walked the
room hurriedly stopped suddenly appeared impossi
Bile for him to remain his eye wild and wandering
resting upon nothing ncoherent conversation intro
his attention his ideas were very much confused mis-
called persons and things paton the Lasts he
calling he miscalled number of persons in the city
addressed me by another before stated tried
US both he also miscalled things about the
not name them have spent nearly one fourth of my
time with him he spoke OF yellow and green the
color one and all of these manifestations inconsistent
with health flushed countenance would he the least
tisfactory when the will becomes involuntary should
pronounce man insane, monomania insanity is not
separated by broad line; we have every graduation
conduct distinguishes between ncpiency and the actual
formation of mania
Q-Whatis your definition of in sanity.
Avery alteration Of the functions of the brain in
consistent with the true standard natural character
the divisions OF insanity mania, msnomania dementia
idocy and fy others perhaps however that is too
mania and nostalgia; the affections may monomana;
believe monom ania does alone sometimes consist in the
disturbed affections
Q-Can there be insanity without delirium?
Ayes sir.
Mr.. MoLLrsor-Define delirium
WIrrEss-Some false notion may the mind some.
times attended by fever.
Q-What do you mean by false notion
"A false idea-[Beng further questionable recol
iect no mseria tests of insanity which have been omit
Front street Philadelphia; is abouttwo squares from
Messrs Carson and Newbold where Mercer clerk;
knew him; ] saw him on Friday P. NJ a few minutes
before o'cock he into tho Walnut street Ferry
House, while standing by the store; had
known him for two threu years he came
| in from the door next to the wharf and wslk-
ed directly towards me, without noticing any
one-and much to my surprise said show fe you Mr..
Alamsf in rather loud tone his fsce was redder than
had ever noticed beore he looked directly the
with an earnest eyes he passed directly into adjoining
room and saw hsl no more; mentioned this the next
morning to one of my clerks.
The Court here adjourned for the week.