The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-01-23
INSANITY. AND IT'S CURE.


INSANITY, AND IT'S CURE.
The Editor Of the Philadelphia U. S. Gazette ap-
ponds the following remarks to paragraph announ-
cling the fact Of Dr. Davis having sent out circulars re-
quesng certain statistical information respecting in
sanity
There can be no doubt of the fact, that insanity
prevails more among the unmarried than among the
married Notwithstanding people often say that the
young folks crazy to marry young But what
the reasons
In the first place, persons who exhibit strong symp
toms of insanity, do not generally get married and
that will account for goody portion Of the differ
ence referred to By the writer above.
Secondly. Married people, in this country, have
generally enough of cares 10 balance their mind and
prevent the extensive effect of that morbid action
Of the mind which, in the unoccupied is so danger
Gus to its peace and soundness.
1t is, of course, nlournrully true, frequently
occur fthis to be dreaded afllicton But
incline the belief that it may ofe be prevented by
kindly wachfulress and a judicious direction of
care houghtiuness, and more especially tender for
bearance, under some circumstances, and Free yet
delicate conference, upon the dangers Of certain
mens thonghts, or pursuits which tend destroy
the balance, and give unfuvorab!e procvity to the
mind. Thousands who have enjoyed the respect of
so cety and only subjected themselves the charge
OF eccentricy have owed their sanity and the credit
OF that sanity to the delicate attention Of watchfu
friend, of whose hfu ness they Were ignorant or
to the canddly aiFectionate intercourse Of one who
entitled himsefto confidence and respect by delicacy
kindness and decision.
While on the other hand, tens of thousand have
10 Il III miserable
mental arrangement, and to squaid, raving madness,
by the cold neglect of those who would love and
soothe, and the taunts and eers of those who have
no regard for the noble mind oerturned.
The married, we may suppose who fall into men,
tai alteration are within kinder influences that OF
husband, wife, or chidren-than unmarried. But
married or unmarried, the mentally sick need not on
w physician to prescribe with skill, but nurse to
soohe and serve with deicacy. The image of God
it is said. is effaced' Admit that it is Their
God is love- and love and affection alone recall his
image
We have seen very many instances IN which the
irrtuted were soothed by delicacy and kindness,
when authority and temper would have chaied into a
fury.
doctor Kirkbride!' said young woman, as we
were passing along the corridors Of the Hospital of
B!ockIey, some time since.
The Doctor paused-the eye of the patient flashed
with anger.
SIS this the way, sir, yCu--'
Good morning, Miss H. said the Doctor. Il
hone YOU feel well, and that your flowers have not
| faded
/ .Tbere again. said she with renewed temper, q
I WAS promised by Mrs.
| sMrs. Kirkbrde regrets she could not be with you
,c tl. cbiidrap ia uuxyeIl hut the othel
! IL now preparing fine bunch Of flowers, and Mrs
Krlbrde will bring them, and SIT with you i'''''
while. ifvou have time to spare You are not en-
gagged, hope
banpy TO see that have been able to keep IN quit'
GOOD order the flowers she had the kindness to sen'
me Yesterday. But you say that she Is coming hef
| self?' e
ssbe will be here in half an hour
Slam very much obliged to her and to you- AM
here paper you kindly lent to me- iiouHu 1t 'e'
interesting
Al-pervadng spirit of Kindness thought "e,aS
listened TO this dialogue, and marked inc su'sius
the mental 81 orm-it is thine to tighten Inc ioaa
the afflicted one, and soothe the anguish oil the Ofus
cd Thou bowest beside the wretehed tnht - e'us
al bcneath the accumulation OF misery anu II XIV
,,ns, not remove the load, thou whispered Pa'iei'
and strengthened the endurance by sympathy IA" -.
eve poureth light across the dungeon s,oo.i v :.
prisoner, and thy voice wakens the sumoef''s 'e1s
| of the maniac Whatever earthly beiai me he'
Lipdness at least awaken memory OF those hou's
rnotber,s love shielded from harm, and may ah7'''O
,nitiratc the blow which prudence could not ave-
And if the cell of u maniac is my destiny iet u
tones of civity, least, counterfeit respect anu
lection, and sympathy medicine, if it may n0' 9"
my ills.