Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-01-31
CAUSES. OF LUNACY.
a PHYSICIAN GIVES INCIDENTS OF
HIS ASYLUM PRACTICE.
Tveatp'eGt OF Lunztics = a Theory Of
Cnr--Hn,. some Obstinate Gases Were
Mad ta-y To Handle-Ignorance
.nt intelligence.


! Louisville Courler-JouTnsi.
"Lnnatics should be treated as children Il
Or expects 10 govern or cure them and a
kind hut hrn rule viii do more toward ef-
| fecting both than all the harshness and bru-
| t;slity IN th- world -
The speaker Yves prominent physician
connected with one Of the several insane Esy-
lumS Of the STATE, and his remarks were made
III u general discus ion on insanity, its causes
ami cure. Continuing, the doctor said:
w hen say kind but firIi rule mean
that those having lunatics III charge should
cultivate them, talk TO them pleasantly as
often Is the circumstances will permit. and
teach 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 the
mind Of the deranged, and teaches them con-
hdence Ia both themselves and those having
them In charge. To use harsh treatment, to
threaten them and to subject them to the
fortunes Of the shower bath, duckiny tub and
straight jacket only incitcs their anger and
Oh tiHacy, AMI nav experience has taught me
that tine easiest and least painful mode Of
punishment = invariably the Lest Nc
lunatic / entirely without mind; in fact,
'aost Ci tipse seat TO the asylum for treat
ment are perfectly rational on many sub
jects, having delu>iOn, only as regards GER
tain thing. lese pi.antases can almost In
HarEibly H. more easily cured when the
patients az kindly treated, while harsh
IA aus wIll only increase their greatness.
Can cite an instance to prove the cor
rectEess Of my-theoryi Yes, and score Of
them, II ycu wish. One in particular, which
viii relate, will prove that in the most Sc
g
obstinacy prevent the proper medical treat
ment Of the patient, Kindness will bring
about stag Of mind that makes them
quiet, tractabie and easy TO handle-things
most essential TO the restoration of a
lunalic's mind When first became con
neetel with tho asylum at -, there was
one Iatent who was regarded as extremely
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 ard straight
iacketsd and confined so much that
he thought ever movement toward
HIM meant repetition of for
mer punishments- He had been in tie asy-
lum eleven years, and was regarded as in
durable. suimi-el the real cause of his
trouble, or rather is aggravated state and
fears l chatted with him frequently, shook
his hand whenever met him, and gave him
To understand BY word and action that
was his friend, and not only reaat him nc
harm, but would protect him from Others.
In the course of few week. he became do !
Gle and lost his feariuln-ss aud with the as
srTance Of safety and kind treatment came |
reason. then found it possible to give him |
proper medical care, and in less than year
lie walkel out Of tbs asylum with mind a
clear and intelligent rs yours or mine
Il nave another case, almost similar, now !
un Ter supervision, but fear reason viii |
never return 10 thu unfortunate because of /
the hong period OF his mistreatment This |
man. when took hold If Kim, was like a |
Wild beast. He paced necessarily up and |
down the corridors Ike chained hyena |
Glazing at its bonds. He was very danger
Gus; in fact, in one of his mad moods had
killed another patient. Yet | have banished
IN, fears. soothel has passions. and 50 gained
upon his friendship tina. he is now one OF the
mos tractable inmates of tire male ward,
and instead Of his ceaseleSs aimleSs tramping
ia tie corridors. mike5 himself almost iniis-
p,i.S1hle III worSing about the .varl max
ng beds, sweeping aud doing other light
iols
Prom what section of the state do most OF
LEe lunatic' come, DOCTOR
Prom the mountain countless | think ]
10 not know positively why this is, but it is
ur q. iaoa that If is tlu. TO their surround.
n =. The bulk OF ;he people OF that section
arr very ignorant and very poor, born in
,gua,,r aud rai,el wItaou: being given any
opportunity II better Ia .ir mental condition,
lud thii, coupled with lax moral training
lccou UNITS for the many cases of insanity
he have ten pat.sltS from the Ignorant
'!asses where we have one from among in
ELI ,.,it p, pc, AMI | can not better account
or Il taan by placia III, biame Oh u lack o:
.iuca Jon Al morality. \ cultivated mind
S no, near ~ easily overthrown As one CROP
Nc III ignpTlacet
Then yoa think better educational faciii-
lie, v uli le7.,.n t @ number OF IGn-tics,1
Il aIos. AZ W d,v do; with ,chool house
+, me sc:,,-'. AMI '.lih learning com : an ele-
'at ~ .n;.ueUy, which turns the iuini IT
Ac hl-Gar hlnIti ana pIt> that mind-de-
troyi.'s i.c.npl. immortality. II fight