The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-01-08
TALES OF THE BORDERS.
THE SUICIDE.
THE SURGEONS STORY.
BIT ALExANDER LEIaHToS

1t is a vain question, that which has been
often stirred among men of the medical pro-
fession and metapbysicians, whether insani
ty-including under that word all the
modes o. arrangement Of the mental pow
ers-is strictly a disease, the definition of
which, according to the best authorities, is
ian alteration from perfect state Of bOdIly
health"
Both parties may, to a certain extent,
be right for the one, including chiefly the
metaphysicians, can successfully exhibit
gradatiOn in the scale Of arrangement: be-
ginning at the slightest peculiarity; passing
on to an eccentricity; from that to idiOsyn-
Grassy; from that to decay or an extraordi-
nary increase Of strength in a particular
faculty-say memory; from that to decay
or an increase in the intensity Of a feeling,
an emotion, or a passion; from that to false
perception-such as monOmania, progressing
to arrangement as to one point or subject,
often called madness, quodd hoe; and so
on, through many other changes, almost i'm
perceptible in their differences, to perfect
madness-all without the slightest indica-
ton of a pathological nature being to be
discovered Of elected by the finest dissect-
ing knife. On tie other hand, it is indis-
putable-fOr We, medical men have de-
monstrated the fact-that a certain degree
of madness is almost always accompanied
with arrangement in the cerebral organs
The most ordinary appearance being the ex-
istence Of fluid Of certain kind in the
chambers of the brain.
The best and the cleverest of US must let
this subject alone; for, 50 long as we remain
and that may be, as it likely will be, for
ever--ignorant Of the subtle principle Of or
ganic life-the nature of the mysterious
union of mind and matter-we will never
be able to tell Notwithstanding all our
mental achievements) whether madness has
its primary beginning in the body
or in the mind. We must remain
contented with knowledge of exciting caus-
es, and with that melancholy lore which
treasures up-alas for how little good T.
the dreadful symptoms which distinguish
this miserable state Of proud man from all
other conditions Of his earthly sorrow; ex-
h;biting him conscious of being still hu an
creature, impressed with the image Of God,
yet incapable of using the proudest gift Of
!, Heaven-his reason; susceptible Of and suf
fering the most excruciating Of all pains
imaginary evils, torments, agonies-yet
placed beyond the pale of human sympathy;
bent upon-following with cunning and as
siduity the cruelest modes of self-immOla'
ton; and sometimes calmly reasoning on
! the nature Of the mysterious power that i'm
pels to a horrible and revolving suicide.
have been led into this train of thought
by the circumstances of the case | am now
about to relate. 1t is one of a calm, rea
soning, determined self-destrOyer, in whom
with the single exception Of wishing to die
by violent and bloody means, | could disco
yer no mental arrangement. The case Oc
ours every day; but there are circumstances
in this of a peculiar nature, which set il
apart from others | have Witnessed, and
seen described; and, as it bears the invalua
bic stamp of truth, my description Of it may
be held to he a chapter. and a melancholy
one, in the wonderful history Of human life
wherein, perhaps, the succeeding capita
division may consist &C an account Of Oul
own tragic fate, not less laRenaable or les
awful. Such creatures are we lords of th'
creatio $50 completely veiled are the des
tlnies Of man.
1t was, think, in the month Of Decem
Der, in the winter Of 18-, that a man il
the garb Of farmer called upon me, anC
requested me to visit George B. per
son, he said, of his own craft, who had
small sheep farm back among the hills, abou
three miles distant
| asked the messenger if the man was il
danger, and if be wished me to proceed in
stantly to his residence, or if a call the frs
time that passed that way, which might b
next day, would suffice. He replied tha
his friend was not in immediate danger, an
9 did not wish me to travel three miles 70
=, the special purpose Of seeing him, bu
!, would be contented with, and grateful fol
visit from me on any early day ths
!, might suit my convenience.
On the following day happened to be
that quarter of the country, and called 1
:. the house to which | bad been directed
The day was cloudy, raw and cold, and
81 :, stern north wind Whistled among the bracl
ems Of the hills. l was struck with tn
situation and appearance Of the hOus
=, 1t had formerly been a mansion house, an
was much larger than the ordinary RET
3 dences Of small sheep farmers among u
X hills. The situation was particularly bleal