The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1849-07-28
THE MAN WHO HAD THE SMALLPOX
INTERNALLY.

lN ! GRLN |
The followingcusc Of hypochondria has never
appeared in print. 1t occurred in the private
practice of DR.. Todd, the first physician to the
Retreat Of the Insane, in Hartford, Conn:
The subject Of it was a robust, hard laboring
man, BY trade a mason. He thought he had been
exposed to the smallpox. Under the impression
that a spare diet would essentially mitigate the
v~irulence of the disease, from a full diet, in
which animal food formed a large share, he
restricted himself to one entirely vegetables
and this in SO limited a quantity as was hardly
sufficient to sustain life. This change in his
mode Of living, combined with the depressing
influence of fear, from anticipation of a fatal
and loathsome disease, soon reduced his once
athletic frame, and involved him in all the hor-
rors Of hypochondria. The time soon arrived
when, according to his calculations, the small
pox ought to make its appearance; but not a
peck or pimple could he find upon him. A
new cause of apprehension now took entire
possession Of his mind, viz. that it was preying
upon and destroying his system. Under this
impression he consulted a physician, who, after
listening to the history Of his case, and making
a careful examination, assured him that his
apprehensions were entirely grOundless, and
existed only in his Imagination.
This conclusion was far from being ~satisfac-
tory to the hypochondriac. He was not thus
easily to be reasoned out Of his senses. The
physician was dismissed as one wanting in
skill to discover and understand the nature Of
his complaint. A second and third was called,
and both concurred in the decision of the first.
But the patient, as is common in such cases,
would sooner believe the whole fraternity at
fault than himself the subject Of mental hallu-
c~inatiOn, rejected all medical advice, confined
himself to his room, and resigned himself to
his fate. In the meantime his robust form had
become a~ttenuated almost to skin and bones,
His friends now became seriously alarmed at
his condition. The reputation Of Dr.. Todd,
then residing at Pennington, although in early
t life, had spread into the neighbOtirg towns,
, and his peculiar talent for the management OF
: mental diseases, which SO eminently qualified
him to take charge Of the Retrea; Of the Insane,
had in numerous instances been manifested.
A brother Of the patient called on DR.. Todd
and stated his case, and assured him that his
confidence in the faculty was gone, and that
il was without his knowledge that he was con-
suited. A plan was soon arranged by which
the doctor should happen to pass the house OF
the patient, and be called 10 as if by accident
. The next day DR.. Todd was seen driving at
I his usual rapid rate through the street where
the patient lived; he was hailed by the messen'
| ger. and in a tone Of voice overheard by the
%patient. requested TO call and see HE brother
who had for some time suffered from ~ health
{ The doctor alighted, and was soon introduced
to his patient, but was received without any
recognition or act Of civility, not even raising
: his eyes to look at him; nor could he by anj
kind of attention or inquiries elicit a Wort
from his sulleu and despairing patient.
With q tact peculiar to the doctor, he com
menced a very minute and careful examination
II Of the patient; first looking into his ears, hi
nose and eyes; then rising hastily from his sea
d he commenced walking the room as if in tn
utmost, as~toniShment, and could hardly credi
his senses, at the same time calculating in a
q under tone, +.
10 sIs iusSwible! Who could ever have though
il! Can II be!'
Then resuming his place by the side Of bi
patient, he went through an examination sti
more minute. Again leaving his seat, he cor
tinued his soliloquy.
tIraa a fact! There can be no mistake; an
vet the like is not TO be found in the Tecorc