New-York tribune., 1878-02-01

practising physician thrtysix years, twentyseVen
vears in New.York; have Iectured and published
writings on the subject OF insanity and have examined
persons with reference to their mental condition.
On Thursday the oath instant, was requested ny
John X Porter esq. to visit Mr. Thomas Lord with
reerence 70 ascertanng his present mental condition
was unable to comply with the request on that day.
but did so on Friday the next day. and also on Satur-
day have frequently seen Mr.. Lord on the street,
and therefore knew him by sight called upon hi'n rs
have stated on Friday and Saturday and with this re-
suit spent over two hours with him Friday even
Ing and a full hour Saturday evening. AS was 10
examine him as regards his mental condition, the
points to which directed my attention were, whether
any form OF insanity existed either mania meanchoa,
dementa.
As all insanity is characterized by more or less phys
ca phenomena, first examined him as regarded his
physical nS' Snd health hm fol
Of his age his eye bright, remarkably clean
in and wanfnas saTs IN excnp s in his
legs. which weakness led me to investigate whether TINS
was the result 90 ola @ age % or orcScn hf In e next pee
found evidence OF mental excitement or perVefson
in any respect, which would lead to suspicion oi
Inext examined him with reference to the question
whether there was depression of mental condition
constituting that form of INSANITY know as M lanchol
There entire absence OF everything when WOud
indicate such condition as that.
Third examined him with reference TO that form OF
insanity known as dcmentia. IN when there ~, Is
"a
menta is invariably attended by n perversion Of
the emotions or emotional feelings, by impaired
ment or logical reasoning. and by feeble voon.
found response to the various tests. that his emo
was neither disposition TO laugh 10 Weep or to be-
come offended, or to manifest any disturbance OF the
feelings from dsprOpOrtionatc TO the result HIS
emotional condition seemed remarkable III Is integrity
and soundncss lie spoke of matters personal to hln
self which had reference to the present condition OF
affairs pertaining to his properly. and ms social ana
domestic relations with forbearnce and Kindness even
where he seemed TO feel wounded
Next | tested him in regard to his mCnory. ! found
that he remembered incidents with emakabe elearness
and dstnctnes, who her they occurred recently, lew
months few years, or many years ago stili further
test of his memory was tnat he gave the same TO
the evening of the 25th. II - cha'acieflsic Oi sehc
dcmcnta that sufferers from II are apt to remGnpcr
events which made great impression In early life or
years ago, while their memory l. feeble IN regard 10 re-
cent events. found his memory equally distinct IN re-
gard 20 what mad occurred the day before or thiry
tested him with regard To his power, OF reason
ing ASKED his advice in relation 10 investments in
certain stocks. lie stated what the stocks worth
one month ago but declined givo advice in relation
10 investments because for the last three weeks
changes might have taken place an citing the values of
the stocks OF which he not coenzant and because
while he could act in relation to his own
property, he did not Ike the responsibility OF
slowly. he had remarkable command OF clear language
whic distinctly conveyed hi, ideas. He said that be had
ALWAYS attended TO M. own business and drawn a his
own checks. and that ne considered competent 10
axe will Eve week, ago by those who were acting as
LAWYERS Tor his SONS now He used one word probably
familiar Wall ~ and business men as meningitis Is 10
medical men, but winch obliged To- look mp the
meaning OF when went home; h. said he - had never
signed check by procuratlun He sh That s0netines
some one else may have ed up check, but he hai al
ways filled up the stub huclf and signed his own name
10 thc check
~ 10 voltiDn found fccbleness OF Will. and that
he was able ve sound and valid reasons to his own
mind for such vOlltiuu.
an told that Mr. Lord IL old man, and have
had occasion during professional experience to know
aud 10 examine sOuay many old men but have
never oi his wh0 seemed 20 retain his mental
powers every respect propugouac - his axe. with
more veOr and lea impairment than Mr. Lord. In my
INDICTMENT he j. OF sound mm and possesses az The mem
fa poWcrs faras examination enabled me 10 JUDGE
that would enable him 10 manage his Affairs ia every
SpCct.
Whatever his nGl powers may have been In the past
he impressed me, for his axe ~ man Of rcmaTkIby
strong clear mind entirely conscious OF all his actr
and capable Of forming correct judgment ~ relation
thereto. FOEDlCE BARKER, NJ -.
sworn 10 before me this Goth day OF January, ISIS
CHARLES RoIH go, Notary Public, Scw-iork Co.