Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-04-28

sane asylums, this place has been filed for
many years with insane persons of harm
less kind, roaming at large and kept by the
inhabitants for consideration. The rela.
tives of insane persons who have some
means prefer to place them there in the
care of the natives than to see them in an
asylum. They enjoy more freedom and
better health. Gheel is retired village
inhabited by small farmers and poor PEG.
pie, who make it business to keep insane
persons. They make double profit by it.
They are paid for boarding and watching
them, and then they make them work.
Some work in the field, others do household
duties, and others again are taught various
trades. These villagers became SO expert
enced in treating fools or harmless people,
that they make it lucrative business to
keep them. Most every house has one or
more. Figure to yourself place where
every second person you meet is deranged.
Happening to pass through the place with
out being acquainted with these circum-
stances we saw some funny things. After
get meal, and asked man we met in the
street to direct us. He made to US
GESTURE To FOLLOW HIM,
And acted in a rather strange way, we
thought. When we arrived on an open
place we noticed quite a crowd of people
surrounding two men, who were evidently
engaged in lively dispute. As we drew
near our guide stopped. The two men dis.
putting had each bottle, filled with some
liquid, in his hand, and were discussing
the relative merits of the contents of the
bottles as a medicine. They were two
doctors. The assembly took an active
part in the discussion-some ranging them.
selves on the side of one OF the disputants,
while others took part for his adversary.
Their gesticHlations and clamor astonished
US greatly, until, upon a closer examina.
ton, the truth flashed upon us that we had
gotten into the midst of lot of fools.
There was not sane man among them,
not even our guide. The dispute
of the doctors terminated with the
agreement that each should drink
the contents of the others bottle, which
was done forthwith. 1t was past noon.
time, and the poor creatures had their
hours recreation. 0ne by one they were
soon called away by the sane portion OF
the village to their respective occupations.
THE VILLAGERS
Exert such control over these crazy per-
sons that they are in great dread of them.
Not all can be made to work neither can
there be much regularity in their work.
However, as it is, they do not idle away
much time Sometimes a poor fool will
run away, and his keeper has to go in search
of him. On the whole they are well treat
ed. They are well fed, wear comfortable
clothes, and perform light work. Their
relatives generally agree that they should
be made to work, as it benefits them phys
icslly and morally. Almost feeling of
fear creeps over the stranger who ventures
out into the street, not knowing whether
the first person he meets is sane or insane,
and thinking himself continually in danger.
The villagers, however, know their boarders
SO well. and are SO used to them, that they
do not mind 1t. Before we left we had the
pleasure of seeing their Majesties, the EN-
perez Napoleon, King Leopold, the Sultan
and many high dignitaries. After all, we
would not like to reside in Gheel.