The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-09-29
The Bicetre in I.92..

IL was III lilo ldltOt Chu VI 1iJ- Andt l.
mel, who had been appointed some time be-
fore medical superintendent Of the Bicetre,
urgently applied for permission from the au-
thorities to abolish the use Of the irons with
which the lunatcs were then loaded. Un-
successful, but resolved to gain his object
he repeated his complaints with redoubled
ardor before the commune Of Paris, and
demanded the reform OF this baIbaIous sys.
TEN.
Citizen, replied one Of the members Of
the commune, tomorrow | will pay you
and the Bicetre visit. But woe to you If
you deceive us, and are concealing the enc.
mics Of the people amongst your madmen!
The member Of the commune who spoke
thus was Couthon. The next day he ar.
rived at the Bicetre.
Couthon was himself, perhaps, as strange
sight as that which he had come 10 see.-
Deprived Of the use of both his legs, he was
always carried about on mems shoulders;
and thus mounted and delormed, be, with a
soft and feminine voice, pronounced sen.
fences of death; for death was the only log
ic at that moment. Couthon wished to see,
and personally to question, the lunatics one
after another. He was conducted to their
quarters OF the building; but to all his ques
tons he received but insults and sanguinary
addresses, and heard nothing amidst the con-
fused cries and mad bowling but the chill
ing clank of the chains reverberating
through the disgustingly dirty and damp
vaults. Soon fatigued by the monotony OF
the spectacle and the faulty Of his inqui.
ries, Couthon turned round to Pinel, and
said, Ah, citizen, are not you, yourself mad
to think OF Enchanting such animals!'
Citizen, replied the other, i am con-
WINGED that these lunatics have become so
manageable solely because they are depri-
we'd Of air and liberty, and venture to
hope great deal from thoroughly differ
ent method.
We'll, then, do what you like with
them; | give them up to you. But fear
you will fall victim TO your presump-
ton
Now master Of his actions, Pinal COM
menced the next day his enterprise, the real
difficulties Of which he had never mo.
ment disguised to himself. He contempla.
ted liberating about fifty raving madmen
without danger to the more peaceable in
mates. He decided 10 unchain but twelve
as first experiment. The only precau-
ton he Judged necessary 20 adopt was to
prepare an equal number Of waistcoats-
those made of stout linen, with long sleeves,
and fastened at the back, BY means Of
which it is easy to prevent lunatic doing
serious mischief.
The first whom Pinel addressed wasthe
oldest in this scene OF misery. He was an
English captain; his history was unknown;
and he had been confined there for forty
years. He was considered the most Zero.
cous Of all. His keepers, even, approach.
ed him with caution; for in fit of violence
he had struck one Of the servants with his
chains, and killed him on the spot. He
was more harshly treated than the others.
and this severity and complete abandon.
ment only tended still more to exasperate
his naturally violent tamper.
Pinel entered his cell alone, and address.
ed him calmly. Captain, said he, If |
take off your chains, and give you liberty
to walk up and down the yard, will you
promise me TO be reasonable, and to niure
no one?'
d will promise you; but you are making
game of me. They are all too much afraid
of me, even you YOURSELF
NO, indeed, am not afraid, replied ri.
mel; for have six men outside to make
you respect me; but believe my word, con.
fide in me, and be docile. intend to lib.
crate you. if you will put on this linen
in place of your heavy chains.
The captain willingly agreed to all they
required of him, only struggling his shout
iers, and never uttering a word. In few
minutes his irons were completely loosened,
and the doctor and his assistants retired,
leaving the door of his cell open.
Several times he stood up, but sank down
again; he had been in a sitting posture for
uch length Of time, that he had almost
ost the use of his limbs. However, at the |
md Of quarter of an hour, he succeeded |
n preserving his equilibrium; and from the |
'epth Of his dark cell he advanced, totter.
From an account of DR.. Scipio Pinel, son |
t the humane physician Of that name.