Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-08-05

VI all the calamtles with which 1t has pleased
an inscrutable Providence to aflict his creatures,
thai of mono.lnania-or madness on one point
only-is the most remarkable, the most wonder
fs;, enu, sne cutIOus ooseTYoF. tns 1.se'-
esting.
The causes that induce this most distressing,
most pitiable infrmity, are multitudnous. In
many instances it arises from an impure state of
the blood, which, disordeling the brain, coniures
up some strange phantasy, some wild belief, un-
til, either by the body's purgation, or falling
into the humor of the patient, and curing him of
his cheat, reaction is produced, and the mind
restored to q hcalthful tone.
THE BLUE DOG.
The most singular instance of this nature on
record, is that of a medical practitioner, narrated
in the diary of physician, who, upon one occa-
sion, in the pursuit of his duties, heard behind
him, distinctly, the pat of q dogs footsteps.
Upon turning ronud, he saw large Ncwfound-
land dog, perfectly blue, which continued to fol-
low him. Anxious to escape it, he hailed
stage then passing and got in. He was much
astonished however to find the dog at his feet,
staring up in his face. lie apolOgize1 to lady
opposite for the dogs intrusion, but she saw no
dog yet to him it was as palpable as herself
Tie went home The dog followed, He went to
bed, and thought he had got rid of it ; but he
felt something jumping on the bed-it was the
dog, distinct as it had been in the day time. -
Fortunately, he was aware of the nature of the
disease, and forbore to alarm his wife, although
the ghastly creature kept him awake all night
With course of medicine the phantom de
parted.
THE INDUSTRIOUS NOSE.
There are other instances extaut Of more
lludicrous nature. One Of man who imagined
that his nose was daily growing to an awful ex-
tent; and was much alarmed lest 1t should ex-
ceed the size of his body, and pin him to the
earth. Whilst laboring under this strange hal
lucination, he went to chnrch, and at the end OF
the service he declared that his proboscis had
enlarged so tremendously during the sermon,
that he could not get it through the pew door
His physician was sent for, who, instead Of vain.
" endeavoring to laugh him out of his conceit
wisely humored it, He expressed his astonish-
meut at its rapid growth but said he could cure
it. He got pail OF water, and placed it at the
patients feet then he tied handkerchief ovel
his eyes, and taking his lance, punctured his
nose till it bled, upon which, dropping large
piece of raw meat he had provided, into the wa
ter, he removed the bandagc, and exclaimed, 81
is off" "Ah!" said the patient I" it is some
thing like now," and Immediately proceeded
home.
This cure must be ascrbed to the force o
Imagination, by which, indeed, many most won
derfu cures are performed. BY this it is that Sc
many quacks, IN all ages, have built up repu
tation and been foolishly run after. They in
! spire confidence in the patient, they engender
, belief of their skill, and thereby do sometime
perform cures where a regular practitioner wOul'
fail.
THE MAN WHO SWALLOWED COBBLER.
. Another curious instance of its might we vii
relate. A young theological student in EngIan
. lodged over a cobbler's stall. The cobblcr wal
q as all cobbers are and have been from time in
/. memorial, jovial fellow, and wlIiled away tn
II hours of labor continually with song. The SIT
X dent, after some time, removed his lodgings, b'
q no sooner did he gain his new apartment Ina
y he was saluted by the burden of the old som
d which emanated, he declared, from his stOmac
q where, he religiously believed, the cObber hi