The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-02-01

application or Thomas Lard, Jr, and others for he
granting or commissions IL the nature or a wrt de
couaty Of Aew Fork City counyJ Nfso York, ss:-
Fordyce Barker, NJ d., being duly sworn, deposes
York. professor 10 Bellevue Hospital ed,cal College,
aud have oeea practising as physician thirty-six
years twen'y-seven years In New York. ! nave
lecturcd anu published writings the subject OF in
sanity, and nave examined persons with reference
TO their mental condition.
On Thursday, the 24,h INST, was requested by John
X. Porter. Esq to visit Mr. TboDas LORD Nth refer.
to ascer.a,ning his present mental condition.
was unable to comply with the request that day,
but did SO on Friday, the next day, and also on
Saturday. have frequently seen Mr.. Lord on the
street. and therefore knew MIN by signL l Gale
upon MIN, as have stated on Friaay and Saturday,
aud with this result spent over two hours with
HIM on Friday evening aud full hour ON SATURDAY
evening. As was to examine him as regards his
mental condition the points TO which directed my
attention were Whether any form OF insanity ex.
iasauty Is characterized by more or less physical
phenomena l first examined him as regards
ing The appearances oil vigorous healih tor
of his age; his eye bright remark
ably person and evidently careful tn hts Dress
with but slight evidences OF weakness except IL his
legs, which weakness led me 10 investigate whether
TINS the result OF old age or acclientni causes
that il chiefly due TO accident. In The next
place, found no evidence ot mental exciiemcat or
perversion In any respect which would lend TO sus-
/ next exam ned him with reference the question,
Whether there was any depression oil mental con-
diton constituting that form OF insanity known as
melanchoiiaY There entire absence OF every
thing which would indicate such condition as that.
Third examined hln with references mat
form OF INSANITY known as dcmeptia IN which there
failure and loss oil monta! power. De-
mentia Is invariably attended ny perversion
of the emotions emotional feelings, by impaired
memory, ny failure Of the powers Of consecutive
statement logical reasoning and by feeble yolioo
4 iound in response 10 The various tests tliat his
emotional couuitiou was IN every respect normal;
that there was neither disposition laugh or 10
weep or to becbme offended or to manifest any dts
turbance of the feelings from causes dsproporlonate
the result HIS emotional CONDITION seemed re-
markabi, III is intesr,'y aad sonnaness. De spche
to present condition OF affairs pertaining 10 his
properly and his social and domestic relations with
iorbeartncc and Kindness even where he seemed 20
feel wounded
Next, l tested him In regard to his memory.
found that he incidents with remarkable
ciearuess and dIstnctness whether they occurred
Gently, lew months ago, a lew years ago, or many
years ago. still further test OF his memcry was
that he gave the same answers TO the same qaes-
uons the evening OF The 18th as he did ON
the evening OF the 25th. II Is characteristic OF
senile dementa that sufferers from II are apt 10 re-
member events which mado great Impression IN
early lie years ago, while their memory 10 iee6ie
in regard to recent events. 1 found bis memory
equally distinct in regard 10 what had occurred the
day before thirty years before.
| next tested him with regard TO his powers oil
reasoning. asked his advice IN relation to invest.
ments certain stocks He stated what the stocks
were worth month ago. but declined 10 give advice
relation to because Tor tho last three
or weeks changes might have taken place aiect
ing the values OF the STOCKS OF which he was not
cognzant aud because wnc he could act IN relation
TO his own properly DO did ike the responsibility
OF advising others. l observed that while he spoke
slowly he mad remarkable command OF clear
language which distinctly conveyed his ideas. He
said that he had always attended 80 hS own
business and drawn all his own checks. aud
that he was considered competent to make a
will five weeks ago by those who we're acting as
lawyers for his sons now. He used one WORD, prob
ably as familiar to Wall street and business men as
meningitis Is to medical men, but which was obliged
10 look up the meaning OF when went home. he
said ne ''had never signed check by procuration"
He said that sometimes some one else may have hed
up check, he had always filled up the stubs him
self and signed his own name 10 the check.
AS to voltion, found no Ieebleness OF will and that
he was able 70 give sound aud valid TO his
mind for such volition.
am told that MIR. Lord is q very old man, and
have had during my professional experience
10 know and 10 examine professionally many old
men but have never met one oil his age who seemed
retain his mental powers IN every respect prOpOr-
tlonate 10 his age with more vigor and lees impair
ment than Mr.. Lord. In my judgment he Is Of sound
mind and possesses all The mental powers, SO Tar as
my enabled mo to Judge, that would en-
able MIN TO manage his affairs IN every respect.
Whatever his mental powers may have oeen in the
past he Impressed me- tor his age, al man Ut re-
markably strong and clear mind, entirely conscious of
and capable OF forming correct judgment
in relation thereto. FORDYCE BARKER, NJ d.
Sworn TO before mo this 29tn day OF January, 1873
CHARLES Roth i67, Notary Public, New York county.