New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-06-04
A SENSIBLE TREATMENT OF THE INSANE

To The Edit0r Of The TrtbuHe.
SIR: The article in The TRIBUNE of May 4,
which drew forth the Experience" printed this morn
ing reminded me of little incident which shall
forget Visiting of the bestendOwcd besappointed.
and apparently bestmanaged retreats for the insane.
saw the department devoted 10 those slightly insane
nearly cOnvaescent, elderly lady Of soft nOherly
cOuntenance walking ccaselessly about wringiDg her
hands and crying bitterly Her constant moan-whch
probably the form her insanity ook-was My son.
my dear son Is sick, and they will not let 20 10 him."
Instead Of combating the idea, which only serves 10 fix
and confirm these delsOns, sOOthed her by assuring
her that did not believe II was much OF an Illness that
no doubt o was qHte wen ny ht umt tha',0 oOur'p
if any OF her family were sick and neded her, she wouli
be allowed 20 TO Them but that now she was tired
and excited and mad better Icot ana leaVe lh' care 70
others. SO, holding my hand and seeing the sincere
sympathy ia my face, she grew quleted Hni ts DEAR
tender loving, mOthery face was di,igured by bDck
eye caused by the fist of the stout his atteBdat who
Knocked her down because she failed TO promptly stop
crying when directed TO- If recoiect rightly.
There was also very pretty foreign grl Who from
for the most delicate skill. But the way she was eHs-
perated berated and knOccd about by the qulc"tem-
pered and heavy handed attendant was enough 10 drive
a sane person frantic. Seeing That bOlh sbe ANA ths
attendant grew rapidly more obstinate aud FURIOUS over
some slight matter dispute begged the attendant 10
leave her to sat down by the now suiky beauty,
put my around her, and with smiles and gestures
drew her mind the trees and flowers without. $40
soon Gained down, and showed the delight or HAPPY
and beloved child IN being peted She leaned her mead
against in a most earnest and loving manner sic ca
ressed my hand, examined my rev ornaments uIAtu 10
me with soft liquid eyes understanding al ea't we
gentle tome Of tho foreign tongue that muTmtd htte
soothing speeches her. and it with difficulty and
real grief on my part that exticaed myself ron nGr
beseeching clasp to away ana leave h"r =" ne Hu-
deTsOOd and il-tIeaed by the Ignorant anu DlGutlR
though not really bad-temperod-atiendaIt
Here were two cases which il would deeply pain tho
friends OF the sufferers 10 know OF occurring IN one Jay
i'm one ward of institution. We may justly fear there
are many in the aggregate. Insane people IN many
respects need the same management as Children, WIN
whom they have many traits in common. They instinct
lively revolt from the authority presence OF any 1ne
who is false base in character however crafty 10
may dissemble IL makes ire sick at heart 10 think no"
many delicate though unstrung natures suffer Tor tha
want OF that wisdom which with uniform but quiet hr.
ness and suitable employment Is almost Omlpoeit
with the insane With the class OF patents have de-
scribed bodily force ia necessary, and with tle
more violent ia the force Of mind rather than Tie
strength Of arm which usually secures obedience.
Aet0- York, May 81 1870. ArZ