The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1844-12-12
TREATMENT OF LUNATICs.


From a Report on this subject in the last
number of the London Quarterly, we quote
the following interesting and curious pass
age;
1t was during the reign ofterror, and while
all France labored under a new form of in
sanity, that the idea was first conceived of
setting loose mad men from their bonds
The good and wise physician, Pinel, seems
to have been struck with the injustice of
keeping his patients chained in the dungeons
OF Bicetre, while so many hundreds of his
countrymen, more mlschievously distracted
than many ofthem, were at large to work
the bloody frolics of the revolu tionaryph ren-
zy. There were at that time upwards of 800
maniacs chained inthe loathsome cells of the
horrible Bedlam of France. Pinel formed
the resolution Of setting them free from their
strict restraint, and he entreated permission
of the Commune TO that effect. Struck with
the novelty of the enterprise, at that time a
sufficient recommendation before any assem-
bly, in France, the Commune listened TO the
proposal, and deputied one of their body, the
notorious CouthoD, TO accompany the ply
stefan to the spot, and Judge of the proprietg
of carrying his undertaking into effect. They
were received by a confused noise-the yells
and Eociferaiions of some hundreds Of mad
men, mixed with the sounds of their clank-
ing chains, echoing through the damp and
dreary vaults of the prison. Couthon turn
edaway with horror, but he permitted Pinel
10 pursue his enterprise. The philanthropist
resolved speedily TO liberale fifty of the num-
Der byway of experiment, and be began by
enchanting twelve of the most violent. The
account of his proceedings has been rcord-
ed by his nephew, Scipion Pinel, in a lively
narrative. which was read before the Acade-
my of Sciences. The first man set at liber-
ty was an English captain. lie had been for
ty years in chains, and his history was forgot
ten by himself and all the world. His keep
ers approached him with dread; he had kill
led one of their comrades by a blow with his
manacles. Pinel entered his cell unattend-
ed; and accos;ed him in a kind and confd-
ing manner, and told him that IT was design
ed TO give himthe liberty of walking abroad,
on condition that he would put on a waist
coat that might %confine his arms. The mad
man appeared TO dis-believe; but be obeyed.
His chains were removed, and tie door ofhis
cell was left open. Many times he raised
himself and fell back; his limbs gave way;
they had been ironed forty years. Atlength
he was able TO stand, and to stalk to the door
of his dark cell, and 10 gaze, with exclama-
lions of wonder and delight, at the beautiful
sky He spent the day in the enjoyment of
his newly7acquired privilege; he was no
F m9rfhu i ia 5 faasS6n md aaa In B'd !4a I've ass yssgs e
managing the house. The nextman iberat-
ed was a soldier, o private in the French
guards, who had been ten years in chains,
and was an objectof general fear. His case.
had been one Of acute mania, occasioned by
intemperanoe--a disorder which often sub,
sides in a short period under abstinence from
intoxicating drinks, unless kept up, as in this
case, by improper treatment. When set at
liberty, this man willingly assisted Pinel in
breaking the chains of his fellow prisoners;
he became Immediately calm, and even kind
land attentive, and was ever afterwards the
devoted friend of his deliverer. In an adj
ljoing cell there were three Prussian soldiers,
who had been many years in chains and
darkness; through g%riefand despair they had
sunk into stupor and faulty, the frequentre-
suit of similar treatment, hey refused TO be
removed. Near 10 them was an old priest,
harmless and patient, who fancied himself TO
be the Savior of the world. When tainted
by his keepers, who used TO tell him that, if
he was Christ, he could break the heavy
chains that loaded his hands, he replied with
solemn dignity, Erustra teRtariS Dominum
tnuus After his release he got rid of his IL
fusion, and recovered the soundness of his
mind. Within a few days Pinel liberated
ffiy-three maniacs from their Imprisonment
The result was beyond hishopes. Tranquil.
lily succeeded to tumult and disorder, and
even the most ferocious madmen became
more tractable. This took place in 1872
and the example Of Pinel WINS followed in
VARIOUS parts of France.