The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-12-05
THE GHOST SEEK Err.
ny AN ENGLISH PHYSICIAN.

PERHAPS one OF the most singular stores
In my diary turns upon an event which
happened To me in the early part of my
professional life; and il is the more re-
u1arkable, in consequence of being the
only case of mania presenting SO many
curious symptoms and contrary manlfes-
tations which ever encountered.
| was waited upon one morning by
lady who appeared in very deep affection,
and who in broken accents asked me if |
would meet DIR. -, an eminent physi-
clan, whom l knew well by name, to
consult concerning her husbands case.
!, of course, prolessed my readiness to
do so, and at the same time said
If quite consistent with your feelings,
madam. should be glad TO know the
nature Of your husbands disease
'Il's dreadful, SIR she replied, 'most
dreadful
Indeed trust you deceive yourself,
madam. There are many diseases that
appear dreadful to a patient and his
friends, but which promise no extraordi
nary difficulties TO the physician or the
surgeon
oh, doctor = she said, Il wish it were
SO, but am worn out
Worn out'
Yes with watching and anxiety; my
applications, my entreaties, my prayers
and tears have been of no avail-he W i'll
not give up the mad pursuit
Mad pursuit, madam 2
Yes, horrible conceit.'
Pray explain yourself. / presume
some species of dementia affiicts your
husband p
Yes; can bear il no longer; my health
is sinking; want OF rest is killing me-
. Pray, madam, be more explicit said
my curiosity being strongly awakened by
what she had said.
i will, doctor, my husband, in every
other resPeci, is all that an attached vile
could wish, but he is ghost-seeker.
a what ? cried |, in aslonishment.
Il use his own words. He calls himself
The ghost-seeker, and says he never shall
he satisfied till he has seen ghost
Il should not be at all surprised at his
being soon gratifed,' said |.
Gracious Heavens doctor, what do
you mean?'
i mean, said l, smiling, shat if his
imagination be SO strongly acted upon on
iha, subject, am surprised it does not
create visions enough for him.
Can anything be done sir ?
Il can scarcely say at present. DIR. -
you tell me, has attended him 2
Yes
i apprehend the case, then, comes
within The sphere of medical influence
The principal difficulty in all The brain
diseases. whether general or local, is TO
manage The patient so as to induce him TO
adopt the necessary remedies
But you will come, DOCTOR
Certainly, if you wish it; but perhaps
j; would be better TO leave him alone.
Does he run into any violent excess. in
pursuit OF that mania 2
oh, yes-yes. He is always making
incantations; then he brings home human
bones from churchy ards; and at twelve
o'clock he rises from his bed, and calls
and iaunts The ghosts of their owners TO
come for them.'
That is sufficiently disagreeable,' re-
Piled .And now tell me one other thing.
Is your husband willing to see medical
men 2
Yes, doctor, quite SO. He will talk
quite nationally to you except on that one
point. Nay, he will argue with you as
10 whether il is a disease or not
well, will attend any appointment
you may make with DR.. -
The lady then left her address as Mrs.
Harrington, ST. Johns Wood, and it was
arranged that should meet DR.. - the
next morning at eleven o'clock at her res
ldPnce.
must confess was a little anxious TO
see the singular Mr.. Harrington, and du-
ring the day | made some inquiries con-
cerning him, The result of which was that
he was retired merchant of considerable
wealth. and had always been esteemed a
most sensible and acute man.
Had my time been at my own disposal,
should have called on Dr. pre- rious-
ly, but as il was, | had no resource but to
meet him at ST. Johns Wood. and there
CLEAN what l could of the nature Of the
case.
was punctuaI to the hour, and found
house replete with every comfort. was
nehered into a handsome and spacious
drawlng-room, and there found DR.. -,
Who had heeu waiting for me about FIVE
minutes.