New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-09-18
MISS BUyYELHS DEITH MN ASYLUM

/ SUPERINTENDENT BUITOLPH MAKES A STATEMENT
DETERMINED EFFORTS AT sELF-DEsTRCCTION.
! DR.. II. \. Buttoiph superintendent of the state
Asylum for the Insane at Morris Plains, y. j., has
written a letter TO The TRIBUNE containing " an
authentic statement" regarding tho sickness and
death of Miss Laura L. Bunnell, dauohter of w. j.
/ BunncIl, of jersey City. it was stated that Mr..
Bunuell was about to demand an explanation Of
certain marks which were discovered ON the body
of his daughter, and which PHYSICIANS
which occurred on September t. DR.. Buttoph say,
that Miss Bunnel was admitted 10 the asylum as a
patient on August :. having been affected with a
mental disorder for more than SIX months. Within
a few week of her removal from home 10 the
asylum the disorder became so pronounced that
she placed by her family in a statlon-hOuse for
"A night and IN prison for five days, for proi' elton
and safety. Her mind had been greatly exercised
on religions subjects for long time. She claimed
that she was INSPIRED by God. and that He would
protect her against ali possible harm, and that she
believed conspiracy existed to murder her. After
admission to the asylum She had the same
popularity of religious and other views was con-
stantly troubled with false hearing, through which
she obtained disturbing Impressions IN regard to
herself and others, and particularly in reference 10
a young man whose first name only she repeated
many times both day and night IN earnest and at
times angry tones. when hrst admitted, the at
tendant in whose care she was placed noticed many
dScOiOTatIOnS and bruises on her body, con-
dItiOn not nirequent with newly arrived patients
1t quickly found Olt that she was m the habit
of striking herself with her clcucbed hand, ana OF
throwing herself down and about IN such a man
ncr as to account for all the marks visible she !
took her food fairly well and was !
constantly about the ward with others |
During her parONySmS she continually /
had i'm mind the young man referred 10, but her
expressions about him were of a variable charaC-
ter She ~ times expressed willingness and de-
termination To die tor HIN. She made great efforts
to iniure her body and limbs bv beating and throw
ing herself about. though she showed no anger or |
violence toward her attendants, but was. on the |
contrary, on irlendl' terms with them to the last
She was finally ued to her bed. with the approval
of a medical officer. with bands Of muslin cloth !
about fifteen inches wide. She uttered no sounds !
expressive of suffering. but repeatedly sang. as she
had on previous n T.. TIE hymn "HcayensGate
Aiar" substituting pwcycr, the name OF the young
man for "Angt in the STRAIN: .!
Angels, pray for me- The next morning
when The attendant visited her, Miss Bunnell said:
Nary, did not want You. | tried 10 Kill myself !
but It hurt 50 much that won't try that again;
had rather take poison II was then discovered
that i'm endeavOring to iniure herself the pressure
of he bands had been increased as to produce !
considerable swelling and discolorauon OF her !
arms and hands. The physicians were called and |
she was gwen warm bath. While IN the bath-iuD |
she begged 10 be allowed to put her head under !
water She was weak, but by aid of r'storatyes |
rallied. looked much better. and cOnyersed with |
I hose about her. some hours after an unexpected
failure IN her strength occurred ana she expired
Or. Buttolph commends the form OF restraint uSed
in Miss Bunnelrs case rs preferable to the uSe OF
drugs padded rooms, or the physical strength Ol
attendants.