The lynx. (Panola, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1845-1845, 1845-01-11
NO. L.
Treatment of Lnnatics.

treatment OF LuhdtlcSs
From Report on this subject in the
lust number Of the London Quarterly,
we quote the following interesting and
curious sage.-Cin. Gaz.
1t was during the re.gn of terror, and
while all France laboufed under new
form of insanity, that the idea was first
conceived Of setting loose madmen from
their bonds The good q wise Physician
/ Pine. seems to have been strnck with the
Injustice of keeping his patients chained
inthe dungeons CT Blcetre, awhile so man
hundreds oil his countrynen, more mis-
! chievously distracted than many ofthem
were at large 10 work the bloody ifolcs
Of the revolutionary phrenzy. There
were at thai time upwards of 800 manI- 4
acs chained in the ioathsome cells oftne /
horrbleBedlam OF France. Piuel formed
the resolution of setting them free from
their strict restraint, and he entrca'ed |
permission of the Commune to that effect.
Struck withihe novelty ofthe enterprise,
at that time sufficient recommendation
> before any assembly in France, tho COM
Z; mune listened to the proposal and de-
/ puted one Of their body, the notorious
Couthon, to accompany she physician TO
= the spot and Judge of the propriety OF
: carving his undertaking into effect.
e They were received by confused noise;
v the wells and voclleratlons OF some hum
dreds of madmen, mixed with the sounds
4 of their clanlling chains echoing through
the damp and dreary vaults of the prIs-
- on. Couthon turned away with horror
u but he permitted Pinel to pursue his en-
" terprise. The phianthropist resolved
n speedily to liberale fifty Of the number
j., by way OF experiment, and he began by
" enchanting twelve Of the most violent
IL The account Of his proceedings has been
to recorded by his nephew, Sciplon PineI
h in lively narrative, which was read be
~ fore the Academy Of Sciences. The hrs
man set at liberty was an English cap
as tain. He had been forty years in chain
10 and his history was forgotten by MN
at. self and all the world. his keepers al
preached him with dread; he had kIIte
one Of their comrades by blow VIII
his manacles. Pmel entered his cell III
attended and accosted him IN kind an
Pc confdinr manner, and told him that
ag- was designed to give him the liberty
We walking abroad, on condition that
toe would put on waistcoai that might co
fine his arms. The mailman appears
last todisbelieve; hut he obeyed. his chan
err wefa removed and the door OF his G
tied was left oi1en MANY tines no Fssi@
,p1 himself and fell back; his limbs ga
way: thew had been ironed forty yea
tue 81 }anath he was able to stand, and
pa stalk to TIE door Of his cell, and ga
I'M with EXPLANATIONS Of wonder and deiig
rly n, the beautiful sky. He spent tine o.
nor. in the Enjoyment Of his newly acqpr
privileges; he was no more in bonds; q,
d. during the two years OF his further {
In tention at Bicetre, assisted IN manager
op- the house The next man liberated "
ow- a soldier; n private in the French guar
who had been ten years IN chains. a
was an object Of general fear. HIS ca
less had been one Of acute mania, occasion
He bv in,emperance disorder which oil
hes. subsidies in a short period under abs
hence from intoxicating drinks, unl'
y kent up, as in this case, by improl
treatment. When set at liberty, t
we man willingly assisted Plnel in bre;
even ing the chains of his fellow prisone
our he became Immediately calm, and CIV
was KIND and attentive. anu was CF0l ot1
wards the devoted friend orhis deliver
~ - In an adjoining cell there were tn
not Prussian soldier, who had been MA
here vears in chains and darkness; throu
lfief- crerand despair they had sunk into
mar .por and faulty. the frequent results
similar treatment, they refused to
. III removed. Near to them was an
the priest harmless and patient who FAM
,hing himself TO be the savior Of the VIC
with When tainted BY his keepers, who U
70 toll him that if he wasChrist he &C
'"0 break the heavy chains thet loaded
was bands-he replied with solemn dign
over Frnctra fentaris Dominum tum. A
E the his release he got rid OF his illusion
recovered the sonndness Of his m
~ ',S Wuhin few days Pinel liberated i
Inc three maniacs from their imprisonm
10 ag- The result was beyond his hopes. L
usual ouiihtv succeeded totumull and disc
& and even The most ferocious madmel
came more tractable. This took pla
qt'e'- 1909: and the example ofPinel wa
lentiy lowed in various parts of France.
le ff- ~
there Friendship.
1g The Chesterfield observes there IS a kl
,nalio- -, Eyad Friendship which takes