The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-02-14
CONCEALED INSANITY.
A Review OF Some of the Testimony in the
Dickic Lunncy Trial.

To THE EDTroR OF THE SUN-Sr: Ono
Of the medical gentlemen who indscrccty
but modcstly volunteered In a late trial. to
say that he was not an expert had pub
lishcd in 1853 work vt nearly 600 pages on
diseases of the brain. including mental de-
engagements. He had also boon the presiding
officer for three years of n medical society de-
voted entirely to the study of diseases % the
brain and nervous system: had bcrn in active
practice for over thirty years. and had seen
many cases of nervous disorders. Another
physician had been over twenty years in
practice, part Of ihr time at Tho head ui
one Of the lurgrst usyluns COR lunn;i's. in this
country. third the celebrated DR.. Alfred C.
Post. whose name Il justly honorrd Wherever
strict integrity. great classical learning. cN-
iremc devotion to his procession. and high
priced. graduated in 1927. A fourth mcdica!
man. Who,ssc. name is not Tlack. must defend
Miss Susan Dickic was Of imperfect and I'M
sound mind. incapable of taking care properly
OF her property, and douhicssly would require
some attendant possessed of great common
snnsc and wise patience to care for her prrsun.
They Thought that she was not uuIusly or un-
kindly placed at BloOmin.dalc, where the ply
sicians. matron, and female attendants are
noted Tor the high order Oi their mental and
moral attiinmcnts. They did not object To her
removal to the care OF an honest Eunrdian Tor
her property. and compete ~ iind skilled nld
or attendant tu wait upon her personally. For
this testimony they have been made the hugh
ng stock and scorn ~ the world mainly hy the
cNcTtiuuS uf learned and somewhat playful law
yrrs who seem 90 have taken unusual pains TO
have their side of the question hlnapn"d before
the public. But the jury nppenrs To- have n@reel
With Tia" thrcr Doctors Tor II provided a guar
dian, and thc Commissioner Will doubtless So
cure tho services OF u cOinpct mt physician ana
female attendant. thus virtually ignoring the
opinion of those who declared Tn, def ndant 10
b. perfectly capable of attending 10 all her own
affairs.
Dr. Ray says: when IT Is considered that
the mental arrangement OF many consists in
few insane notions. which do not. to all appear
nncr. affect their general conduct and CONVEX
sation the difficulty Ot cunrcaling it for n short
time l. often not great. Their task too, is ma
trrinlly lee-cn"d 10y the prevalent error that
madness is inScDarihi" from hoistcruus brha-
Nior and complete disorder OF ideas.
II not unirnuuentlv happens TINT the mental de-
n'cn'y affects the faculties oI the mind uu-
equally degrading some To the scale OF idiocv.
and leaving others In Y state Of toerablc
strength and Development
These obscure or concealed eases are the bat
tie ground of lawyers. doctors. aud the lay pub
lic on which il seems that all l. fair in law.
medicine. and the assertion Of public rights.
We are sure that no practical injustice or un-
Kindness has been done tn" lair complainant
during her involuntary dctcutiOn i'm q house Of
mercy. She required medical and personal aid
long before any mrrcenary motives could have
come in play, and has been wisely and kindly
cared for until others have been found willing
To- assume the r'spOnS Utilities attendant upon
her condition. All wish her happiness and
perfect restoration. II that be- possible. and most
chcrrfully resign her To- those who are anxious
and able to assume these duties. Il. A. f.