Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-02-08
CAUSES OF LUNACY.
A PHYSICIAN GIVES INCIDENTS oe
HIS ASYLUM PRACTICE,
treatment OF Lunatics A Theory NJ
s"re-How Some Obstinate Cases Were
Made Easy TO HandIe-Iguoranee
and Intelligence
louisville Courier-Jo |

I~oulSNle Courier-Joufnall
Lui'aticS should be treated as children n
one es Sects TO govern or cure them. and a
KIND bot firm n lie viii do more toward ef-
tectlng both than sll the harshness and br,,-
taIlty IN the worlC. "
Inc speaker was a prominent physician
Connected with one of the several insane asy-
iuiilS OF the state, and his remarks were made
eene'a III discussion on insanity, its causes
anu cure Continuing, the doctor said:
hen say kind, but firm rule, mean
that those having lunatics in charge should
cultivate them, talk to them pleasantly as
often as the circumstances will permit. and
oeach them that you mean no harm and that
You viii give them protection. This creates
friendly, truStful feeling in them, drives
away the fears which usually inhabit ths
mind OF the deranged, and teaches them con-
noence IN both themselves and those having
Them In charge. To use harsh treatment To
threaten them and to subject them to the
oortures or the shower BATH ducking- tub and
sualShtTJacket only incites their anger and
ooStinacy, and my experience has taught me
that the easiest and least painful mode of
punishment is invariably the best No
iunauc Is entirely without mind; in fact
most OF those sent to the asylums for treat
ment are perfectly rational on many sub
lects, having delusions only as regards Ger
tain things. These phantasies can almost in
Nariably be Eore easily cured when the
patients are kindly treated, while harsh
means viii only increase their craziness.
Can cite an instance to prove the cor
rectness of my theory Yes and score Of
them, II you wish. One in particular which
viii relate, will prove that in the most Sc
we're cases OF insanity, when timidity and
ooStlnacy prevent the proper medical treat
ment OF the patient kindness will bring
about stage OF mind that makes them
quiet, tractEble and easy to handle-thinxs
most essential to the restoration OF a
lunatic's mind. When l first became con-
nccted with the asylum at -, there was
one patient who was regarded as extremsly
dangerous He was obstinate, and timid to
that degree that he seemed ever fearful that
whoever approached meant to do him harm.
He had been ducked and straight
lacketed a-.d confined so much that
he thought every movement toward
him meant repetition OF for
ner punishments. He had been in the asy-
lum eleven years, and was regarded as in
durable / surmisei the real cause of his
trouble, or rather its aggravated state, and
At once set about weaving him from his
fears l chattei with him frequently, shook
bis hand whenever l met him. and gave him
to understand by word and action that l
was bis friend, and not only meant him no
harm, but would protect him from others
In the course Of a few weeks he became do
sls and lost his fearfulneSs, and with the US
slrance Of safety and kind treatment came
reason. then found it possible to give him
proper medical care, and in less than a wear
he walked out of the asylum with mind as
slssf and Intelligent as yours or mine.
Il nave another case almost similar, now
under supervision, but l fear reason will
never return to the unfortunate because Of
the long period OF his mistreatment This
man, when l took hold of him. was like a
wild beast He paced incessantly up and
down the corridors Ike a chained hysna
chafing at its bonds He was very danger
Gus; in fact, in one of his mad moods had
killed another patient, Yet l have banished
his fears, soothed his passions, and so gained !
upon his friendship that he is now one Of the |
most tractable inmates of the male ward, |
and instead of his ceaseless. aimless trampiny |
in the corridors, makes himself almost indis- |
pensable in working about the ward max
ing beds, sweeping and doing other light |
jobs"
From what section of the state do most of |
the lunaticS come doctorln
1From the mountain counties, think l |
do not know positively why thi. is, but it il
my opinion that it is due to their surround
ings. The bulk of the people Of that section
are very ignorant and very poor, born in
squalOr and raised without being given any
opportunity to better their mental condition,
and this, coupled with lax moral training
accounts for the many cases of insanity.
We have ten patients from the ignorant