The Delaware ledger., 1883-09-22
Within an Inch of My Life.

During the earlier part Of my medico-
military career was selected as the
assistant surgeon of the Army Lunatic
Asylum then established in one OF the
eastern counties of England. At the
time Of the appointment 1 was given to
understand that it was one which paid
a high compliment to my professional
abilities, and was bestowed as reward
for good services done but as 1 did
not see it quite in the same light, l
! went and interviewed the chief who
had thought 80 much more of me than |
did of myself.
"Sir," said L, ''some men are born to
honors, others have honors trust upon
J them the latter is my case. don't
understand one bit about the treat
ment, moral or medical, of the insane.
never saw but one mailman in my
life, and he, verify believe, was more
knave than fool and l can't help think
ing that if you send me to the asylum,
you are sending the round man to fit
into the square hole"
''That is not of the sloightest conse-
quence," answered he whom l was
addressing, in the richest of brogues
mot the layste in loife. Round OF
square, the hole will suit ye to a t !;
and if so be that ye don't know any
thing consuming lunatics, whoy, the
sooner ye larn the bether. Yen be
PLACED to iine widout delay. Good
morning." So he bowed me out I;
and l, having wholesome dread of
the powers that were, ''jined" forth
with.
1t is one of Shakespeare's wise say
ings that "use doth breed habit in
man." Before there had passed away
many weeks of my sojourn with the
demented officers and men of Queen
Victoria's land forces | found myself
highly interested with their pretty and
well-cared-for home, running pleasantly
in the groove l had so much objected
to, and getting rid for ever and day
of that repugnance which every out
slider naturally enough entertains when
brought into contact with the denizens
of madhouse. With a pass-key,
which has an open sesame to every lock
in the establishment, | was accustomed
to wander over it unattended either by
the "keeper' or the orderlies, and
never was | molested or spoken to
threateningly save once, and that upon
the occasion | have elected to call
"Witbin an Inch of my Life,"
In the afternoons, when the patients
were not indoors, it was my practice to
I; go through every part of the building
inspecting it sanitarily. was doing so
as usual upon certain winters day,
when, at curve of a corridor, came
suddenly upon patient leaning gloom
lily against one of the pillars. He was
private soldier of the Forty-ffth or
Sherwood ForeSters, a recent admission,
and whose phase of ins nifty was some.
what puzzling the head surgeon and
myself. Without entering upon details
[ shall merely say that we had doubts
upon his case, and had recommended
his removal from the asylum to the
care of his friends. Meantime, how.
ever, he was to be closely watched, and
no garden tools or implements put into
his hands. How he had managed to
elude the vigilance of the orderly under
whose surveillance he had been placed,
and to be where met him, was one of
the things never understood. But SO
it was.
When he saw me his melancholic de-
meanOr ceased he advanced with rapid
strides toward me, and saw at a glance
that he meant mischief of some sort or
other; for every muscle of his body
was trembling with passion, and on
every feature of his face was pictured
that of demon. l confess that fear
came over me. What was this maniac
going to dop But to show apprehen-
sion would be fatal, so 1 faced him
boldly and exclaimed "Hollo, Mat
hews what are you doing hereP Why
are you not in the airing grounds with
the others ?''
He turned wild and flashing eye
upon me, and glared like wild beast.
Then he howled out rather than said
''Let me out of this ~
"What do YOU mean9" 1 replied,
resolving, il possible, to gain time, and
trusting that presently an orderly might
pass and relieve me from the terrible
dilemma in which 1 stood.
"Let me out I" he repeated. 81
have been too long in this vile place.
want to rejoin my regiment to see my
poor old mother, and Mary, my sweet
heart. Why am 1 here 1 am moi
mad like the others. God knows that
so do you, But if l am kept mucE
longer [ shall be stark, staring mad
Let me out, say |"
: He was now boiling over with frenzy
Still kept my ground. Matthews, ;
= l said, 81 know that you are not mad
so listen moment. How can le
7 you out ? am not the head doctor
3 l can't act without his orders. You
3 removal has been recommended by him
/ I'll go and consult him now.''
'No, you won't, indeed"
"Well, can't release you. 1t woul,
he as much as my commission is wort