The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-11-14
RUNS STRICKEN VICTIMS.

Writhing On Their Cots in UucontrolIa-
Bile Agony, ana Only Subdued by the Use
oCStrait-Jackets and ManacIes-Scenes al
Bellevue Hospital.
Down on the lower basement of
Bellevue Hospital long, low room ex-
tends from north to south. On either
side heavy oakcn doors, in each of
which is a small sliding wicket, giving
it 4 prison-like air. To the right a
small Office looks upon the corridor.
and here was found Mr.. Connolly, the
orderly in charge. He is slight, clean
shayen gentleman, with twinkling gray
eyes that give no token of the heart
rending scenes he has witnessed during
the nine years he has presided over the
ward.
You want to know our treatment
of patients?" he quered, when asked
what course he followed. "WelI, had
better begin by telling you the story in
my own way. 1t has never been writ
ten up and l am sure Will prove inter
esting.
ave are obliged to receive only peo-
pie sent from the station-houses or the
police courts. Our patients are gener-
ally in pretty bad condition when they
arrive, and our first care is to see that
they are Immediately bathed. In all
cases this can not be done, but where
it is possible we do it."
"What are the worst cases?n
"Beer-drinkers. 1t seems to me that
whisky does not make such a total
wreck Of a man as the milder stimulant.
Take the drivers Of brewery wagons,
who continuously dabbe in beer-hu-
man spOnges, in fact We ALWAYS eX-
perience considerable difficulty in get
ting them on their lcgs.
'Of course, the patients stomach is
disordcrei, and unable to retain any
solid uourishment The constant use
of liquor creates an abnormal action of
the nerves and n craving for something
to quiet the unusual excitement. Lime
water and milk is the only thing that
will rest upon the stomach after pro-
tracted debauch. TO quiet the nerves
we administer bromide of potassium"
'DO you ever give stimulants?"
Mr.. Connolly smiled at the question
but very seldom, and only or a
doctors prescription. They beg for it,
but we can not permit them to keep up
their spree. They come here as would
a ship to harbor until the storm
passes over.
" Some Of the cases that come here
are quiet; others again require the
straight-iacket and sel eral little appli-
anceS which we keep on hand"
Hardly had the words passed the
speakers lips when a kick sounded up
on the door. When it was opened a
tall, stra CHIT man with high, white
forehead stood upon the threshold. His
hands were manacled to a heavy belt
which encircled his waist.
Mr.. Connolly" he said, as his fin
gers worked convulsiyely, Its time
for my medicine"
The orderly rose and took from his
cabinet a small vial containing a dark
brown fluid. With tremulous lips, his
hands still bound the patient swallowed
the draught and left the room.
81 remember one case in particular"
resumed the orderly. "He was a
clergymen in this city, and had been
drinking for more than three weeks.
However, he was never really drunk
always had what the boys call a quiet
load This is the kind of a case that
bothers us. Because your cool, self
contained men are nearer the grave
than they think for.
"Well, we got him to bed. He hadn't
slept for more than four days, and
when he told me that | knew his con-
dition was precarious You see, when
man can eat or sleep it's time for
him to seek med cal attendance After
awhile was startled by the most blood
curdling shrek | ever heard. / ran to
my patients cell and found him with
ing on his cot and twisting himself into
every conceivable shape. Two of US
were insufficient to hold him, and at in
tcrvals he broke out in screams that
would raise the hair upon your head. |
sent Mt once for brother clergyman of
his, but the attempt to soothe him was
futile He rascd and toamcd and beat
the air with his hands. An injection Of
morphine was used and after awhile
he sank asleep under the influence Of
the hypho0c.
"Tlrcc days after we were able to