The Cecil Whig., 1883-02-03

it. | sat in Il chair until three O'Clock
every night, but, worn out with fatigue
| would have to go to bed, and just a:
soon as | did Victor IIugo's deviI-iisl
would enwrap me in its venolnous folds
| was soon convinced that this woulC
terminate in speedy death, and whilst
was to an extent lost to family obli2a
tions there We're frequent periods wher
my little children, by their love and ca
resses, recalled me to sense of what
was due to them, and 5y almost a sud
den inspiration | determined to make one
last effort to rescue myself from the
brand that was burning my life away
Just about this time several gentlemen
noticing my general appearance. had the
temerity to question me on the subject
Recognizing that they were animated
by the best feelings of phlanthrophy,
told them what was the matter with me
They generously offered to bear my ex
penses, even if | had to 60 to Europe, il
l would agree to subject myself to treat
meut. agreed to do what they thous sht
best. | wrote to many asylunls where
they professed to cure the habit of NOR
phia and finally was induced by one OF
them to visit Spring Grove Asylum and
consult DR.. Gundry. its superintendent
From all other asylums for the cure OF
morphia patients was assured that
could be cured in a few days. | knew
this was all humbug. My conversation
with DR. Gundry. Of Spring Grove, con-
vinced me of his honesty and ability. and
after making 4 special arrangement with
the managers Of Spring Grove Asylum |
went there to be treated on the 1st day
of February, 1889.
! went there alone and entirely on my
own accord. My mind had not the least
degree been affected by the use of NOR
| phia. except perhaps, under its influence
its capacity was temporarily strength
esed. | went there mere skeleton. and
for my daily comfort required at least
twelve or fifteen grains of morpha. Ply
J. W dS dS Weak is Cllllu. / lNeI
these conditions | entered apd spent
TWO MONTHS IN LUNATIC ASYLUM.
| was given No. in hall 1. The
| room was a small one, but handsomely
and comfortably furnished with all the
luxuries of \ first class hotel. This ball
had connected with it parlors, library
billiard saloons and bathrooms. and was
occupied by convaiescents. One passing
through it, and noticing gentlemen sit
ting about on sofas and handsomely up
| holstered chairs, reading newspapers,
magazines, OF engaged in games Of di-
version, would imagine himself in Il first
class hotel, surrounded by intelligent
| travellers CT guests, but on y more inti-
| mate acquaintance one would find that
some of these gentlemen in all good
faith would negotiate with him loan
for hundred million dollars. Others
with the quiet manners of 4 We're de
We're would inform him that he, tile guest
Of the institution, was the prophet Of
God, AMI another would perhaps con-
vince you that he was the victim Of
family malice, and was confined there
in order that his family might enjoy his
fortune, which, Of course. was entirely
mythical.
Such, however, We're my surroundings.
| soon discovered that | was fed on rich
food with special design Of strengthen
ing me for the couilict that the supern-
tcndent and his assist ant knew must
come sooner or later.
Permit me to say once for all that,
with an extensive observation of the
| world and of men, J have never met
with a gentleman superior in the con-
scientious discharge OF his duty and of
ability to DR.. Richard Gundry, superin-
tendcnt of Spring Grove Asylum, and
relatively l think the same of his as
sistant, DR.. Sidney lIeiskel Entertain
ing this opinion, it will surprise the reader
for me to say that at one timc during
the reaction of morphia when these gen
tlemen would not allt w me TO have it,
regarded both of them as the greatest
tyrants | had ever met.
While l was at Spring Grove ! was fur
nisLed with every luxury that the market
afforded. It was 4 part Of the treatment
and must, in justice to its management,
say this treatment was extended to every
patient who actually needed it.
At first, for two weeks. | was allowed
to keep and use my syringe. | was using
when | went there about an average of
twelve grains Of morphia daily, but freed
from the cares incident to the support of
a family, | found | could get along on
less. They allowed me for several days
eight grains a day and in two weeks
gradually reduced it TO four grains day.
found it was not the quantity, but the
last half grain daily that it was difficult
to get away from.
At the end of two weeks DR.. Heiskell,
in one Of his pleasant morning calls, ex-
amined my hyperdermic syringe, and, to
my surprise, just as he was leaving my
room put it in his pocket. | fully ap-
preciated its significance, but casually
inquired, while we were playing a game
of billiards, whether he intended to cut
me off of morphia.
"Oh, no. said he "we intend to give
it to you for awhile internally.'
l found that he had prepared two
twelve once vials, one containing seventy
grains of morphia and the other Ind ian
hemp. The dose internally was tem-
porarily increased from four to six grains
daily given two grains at a time, and
gradually diminished. Each dose of the
norphia when given was substituted for
by the same amount of Indian hemp,
poured from the sccond vial into the
morphia vial, and then before the two
vials were exhausted l suppose | had
been reduced to about a quarter of
grain daily.
OF course l do not pretend to be accu-
rate in these statements of quantity. |
could only form a general estimate from
what ! afterwards ascertained to be the
amount of morphia put into the twelve
ounce vial. The diminution gave me no
pain. l did not experience the slight st
reaction of the drug upon me, but l
fattened daily, and in two weeks the rich
food told upon me to the tune Of from
140 to l45 pounds.
noticad Ane eyeninr tha the Ia st ansn