The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1885-07-10
CAGING THE INSANE.
DIFFICULTIES OF COMBINING LUNA
TICS WITHOUT VIOLENCE
Interesting Chat with a Superintendent
Of an Insane OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
of Delicate Diplomacy I'm Man
aging the Demented.
Tphiladelphia Times I


insane department. of the aIms-house, was In
a chatty mood. He had been speaking about
the vagaries of the insane, relating some Of
their queer delusions, and driftei into mar
ralive on the methods employed TO induce
patients to enter asylums "As rule" he
said, "the insane must be handled in an ex-
ceedingly careful manner. An insane per-
son is abnormally suspicious, and is con-
stantly endeavoring to oircumvent those
who he imagines have concocted schemes
against him OF course all the insane do
not believe they are the victims of con-
spiracies, but the great majority imagine
that they are. There is a wonderful excita-
tlon about the insane. Their perceptions
ara most acute but are ordinarily directed
in a wrong channel 1t is often a difficult
matter to get an insane person into an asy-
lum when 1t is desirable to avoid the en-
ployment Of force.
DELICATE DIPLOMACY NECESSARY.
"The greatest diplomacy, the most careful
consideration is usually imperative. For
example, family discovered member to
have become lunatic and feel the necessity
of having him or her treated in an i1stitu.
ton specially devoted to such purpose.
One of the most abhorrent things to human
being Is insanity and reflection of devital-
intellect expressed In a word or glance, Is
enough sometimes to totally unbalance O
wavering brain. 1t is frequently best to in
form the patient that he needs treatment,
and generally he submits to 1t. An over
worked brain or a diseased intellect Is usually
conscious Of failing power and is the more
sensitive and Jealousy watches the actions of
those who are near, endeavoring at all times
to prevent the success Of plans believed to
have been laid to entrap them.
ut Is best to explain to patients that they
need treatment and il they are not too far
gone they are tractable have had hun
dreds acknowledge to me that they realized
the fact that their brain was decaying and
wondered IL they could be restored to health.
RATHER BE HANGED.
1But when q case becomes well pronounced
IL is almost always difficult matter to per.
suade the patient to enter an asylum. You
will find that an insane person on trial for
: murder will almost inevitably try to show
that he Is perfectly sane. Frank Daily, who
killed Armstrong about five years ago, was
undoubtedly insane, as the jury found. But
he used to beg me before took the witness
stand not to swear that thought him in
sane. would plead with him that it was
his only hope Of safety, but all to no pur-
pose. He would rather have been convicted,
! believe, and sentenced to be hanged than
have to rest under the suspicion Of mental
deficiency. It Is frequently the case" con-
tinued the doctor, shat persons who be-
lievs they are the victims of conspiracies
come here and endeavor to outwit their sne-
mics We bave a dozen or more volunteer
detectives who are busy watching other
patients in the belief that schemes are afoot
to injurs themselves or their families
SANE PERSONS NOT CONFINED.
an this country 1t is next to impossible to
have such affairs as Charles Reade pictures
do not doubt that in some states a person
may be confined for a time In an asylum
when not really insane, but permanency of
imprisonment Is next to impossible. The
system in Philadelphia, where two physi-
:ians have to certify to the lunacy OF the
patient, prevents an unjust confinement
These people being paupers, as a rule there
is little occasion for fraud. Naturally rer-
son would not willingly submit to imprison-
ment, but devices are used to lead them on
and fiattery is a cogent reason.
SIGN OF A WEAK MIND.
susceptibility to fiattery Is almost always
an indication of weak mind, and brain
Icing impaired is accessible to a smooth
tongue One OF our femals patients, who Is
ugly as sin and aged besides was allured to
the hospital after she had given unmistaka-
BILE signs of dementia by being told that
number Of gentlemen, members of club la
the vicinity, had sworn to remove them
selves from the world because of her hard
hearted refusal to recognize their gallant
ries. She stands for hours every day at
window to give her forlorn admirers look
ami wonders IL any will be bold enough to
demand the recognition he Graves
ave have an individual here who gave q
good deal Of trouble to his friends before he
could be brought in He was not violent,
like some. and it was not necessary to bring
him in by force, but he was persistent in
trying to escape after he first came here
He was fond Of painting, however, and
pretty soon a score or so of persons would
talk to him every day OF his works of art
and now he could not be induced to leave
CARRIAGE RIDES TO BEDLAM.
@You want to know how most insane per-
sons are induced to enter asylumsi Well, a
carriage drive Is Q good means Everybody
likes to drive. and in driving conversation
is nearly always enjoyed. An intellectual
discourse Is pleasing to the demented, who
like to hide their deficiency. even IL they are
aware Of 10, and 1t Is easy enough to induce
a visit to public institutions, where study
OF character OF habits can be made. or
course the patients delusions must be con-
sidered when an attempt Is made to bring
him to an asylum and be must be humored
It would be an endless task to write all the
means employed, but It is enough TO say
that good Judgment must govern"