The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-01-07
SANE AND INSANE.
a TRUE STORY OF THE LOSS OF REASON.
From the American Journal of Insanity.


The last Presidential election occurred on
the first dav of November, 1856 The duties
and political position Of the gentleman whose
case Is here detailed, involved him deeply in the
turmoil labor. and excitement. incident to that
heated and fierce contest. He labored every
dav and many night, and was completely alb.
sorbed in the progress Of the canvass and the
final result. Il may be remarked, without fear
of disclosing his politics, as there were three
parties in the field, a1d two of them We're de-
feated, that TO him and all who acted with him
that result was disastrous to their hopes and ex-
recialions. The election being over. his labors
were at once reduced. The disappointment was
almost Overwhelming. He INDUCED in the use
of tobacco to excess, and this and the general
reaction that ensued sent him from bis office to
his bed. The circumstances Of this instructive
case were so clearly recalled, that they are pre-
scented ~ detailed after recovery had taken
place.-EdS
On Friday, November IT'D, / awoke, and found
myself quite Ill. Ia addition to headache and
pains in ali my bones, there were febrle symp-
toms, palpiiation Of the heart, and great ner-
vous pros:ratiCn. J tCok no medicine that day,
none the next, and grew no worse; but Satur-
day night sGpervened restlessness, broken sleep,
and occasional ITS Of derium in its mil6est
form. AND such ~ is went 10 dance attend
anoe about the beds Of fever patients.
On Sunday. physician was called in, and be
prescribed powerful anodynes and other RENE
dies. That day, he strange optical illusions
tina, afterwards, through my illness, so strongly
marked my case, commenced. A few rails of
the New York Central railroad are to be seen
in rent of my residence, though probably two
hundred rods distant. In tie course OF the
a9ta I TO-
wife to an interminable train of freight cars
that was passing, and expressed my surprise,
not only at the length of the train but also that
II should De running on the Sabbath. Every
car, and every wheel of each of them, were per
iec;ly distinct in my vision, and | could no. he
persuaded tina. 1t was not reality; indeed, be-
came angry at the per;inacity with which the
fact was urged upon me that there was not a
Car in motion upon the track. Soon after this
pointed out q number of men upon the walls
of public BUILDING, in view from my house.
and wondered why they were parading there on
Sunday.
These phantoms constituted the vanguard of
the lnnumerebie army of spectres that afterwsrd
hied the scope of my vision. That Sunday
night was one Of sleep!essness and indescribable
torments. swallowed medicines and opiates,
and became excessively sleepy, but | could OBJ
they did frequently, and almost invountarily,
vast apartments would open before me-halls,
corridors, and gorgeous suites Of rooms-at
hrst, all empty, bnt in a moment they would
De hlled with nultitudes Of people, Of all ages,
sexes, costumes, nations, and tongues. | could
hear them thronging on the stairways before
they appeared, and see them take their places
IN vast masses and serr;ed columns. Not only
did they talk necessarily, but every one Of the
countless multitude eazed fxed,y upon me-
Many pointed 81 me with theI fingers and canes,
and cgied me through their opera.glasses. This
ordeal woulc become intolerabie, and on open
ing my eyes ard turning over in the bed, the
vision would vanish. This lasted through the
whole night, aud the phantom scenes were re-
peated scores Of times. 1t seemed ss if | saw
them through the lens Of a small spy-glass. OF
all the countless spectres of that night, reccg.
nised but one. His was etalwart figure, tower
lng head and shoulders above all the rest, ar
rayed III splendid military costume, and stand
ing IN the centre of brilliant throng of officers.
need scarcely add, that this was Gen. Winfield
Scot.
The next morning, Monday, the 10th, felt
some better Notwithstanding the sleepless hor-
rors of the night. | rose, dressed myself, and,
after partaking of some food and walking about.
deemed myself well enough to go to work; and
80, contrary to the wisdom of my watchful and
faithful vile. rambled over my newspapers, and
read and wrote nearly all the day long. In the
afternoon, me peculiar novelty of the optical
iiius'ons u ny case assumed a more distinctive
I'rn' and rnaie . greater impression upon my
ineulory' al before had been confused, and
Iather inci=tiuct, though eli were remembered.
ou' "here before were mingled and jumb led.up
- n1iA1sea' Low appeared spectres singly, and in
oiear rele, sharply defined
Z Alter dinner on Monday had been writing
ano reading steadily for several hours, when.
suddenly, On looking oct of one Of the windows
OF my sitting room, l saw standing under a
cherry tree within the ward. az the aide ~ nv
mouse negro barber, with whom, had scron,3
an acquaintance IN the course of FREQUENT occa.
SONS 10 avail myself Of his professional skill in
shaving he WAS arrayed in bIue d,eso GOO,
WIN remarkably bright brass buttons. dark
pants and cloth cap As / looked up. our ewes
me-. me-, ana 1 distinctly beard him cay, as he par.
1'ally Iited his cap from lis head, GOOD alter.
moon, Mr. - | returned the comnl;msn,
S'1 boz, and the exclamation, I" How do Won
W. -" Tbs attracted the attention of the
eaIng enc ~ my side, and che asked me
s ana' l meant. Way" said l. 81 was simply
NLNS the courtesy, OF s." 20
GT3 Why, OF s." "Where is he ? .
inere' under The CHEEKY tree, looking up C