The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-11
TALKS WITH DOCTORS.
A Walk Through the Female Department OF
the Hospital for the Insane.

female deoartment of that institution, why
there is no end to them There is lady here
who a while ago, imagined herself the wife OF
jay Gould She recently discarded the million
sire, and now claims to be the wife of Presi-
dent Arthur. She often writes letters addressed
to the President, and upbraiding him for his
neglect of her. She felt very bitter towards
him until she received letter from our type
writer here but bearing Washington date, and
purporting to be from Chester A. Arthur. This
letter tells her with wholesome candor that he
has been unable to attend to her numerous
requests, as heis very busy packing up to make
way for Grover Cleveland and that when he
leaves the White House he expects to take her
to his beautiful palace in Madagascar. It was
really kindness to write her this letter, as she
has drawn great comfort from it."
The Doctor said she was always writing, and
showed the reporter large sheet OF paper
ruled in a very business-like way, and
headed in large letters "Plan Adopted
20 meet the Emergencies Of the Times
Supposed Capital of $780, 1000" Fol
lowing this were numerous items showing
how the millions had been or were to be dis
posed of. There were appropriations for meat
bread, cheese and California buns, and several
millions appropriated to the purchase of dresses
hats, gloves, dolmans, etc., all the paraphernalia
connected with the dresses being closely and ac-
eurately described.
Here" said the Doctor, us the work Of
another woman who writes. She formerly wrote
good round hand, seldom misspeling word;
but her writing and spelling are growing rapidly
worse. Tt is popularity of diseases of the an
terror portion of the cerebral henispheres, indi-
eating softening of the brain, thata loss of CO.
ordination between the brain and fingers 10 usu-
ally shown"
The reporter read a few lines of this patients
essay: Thirteen the number of the planets our
parents did create we have our slapiacks rock
ing heavily come one and all due honor pay the
father whom his babies kiss Saturn's broad fat
moons four satellites endure" etc.
I'm one ward in the male department" said
the Doctor There are two men who may be
seen any day sitting side by side, each imagining
the other to be Jesus Christ. One is rough
Irishman and the other homely, uncouth
Hoosier They will gaze at each other for hours
and strike attitudes of alteration A short time
ago two brothers, and not only brothers but twin
brothers, were brought here from southern Indi-
ana, both having become deranged on the same
day They are about twenty years old. One
elderly man thinks himself great military COM
mander. His bearing is erect dignifed and
military to the last degree, and he writes checks
for millions to carry on his compaigns. He is
known as the General. The case of the twins
does not stand alone There are other cases of
IL r., .l.-
showing insanity on or about the same time.
There is an old German woman here who
imaginesthere is another person speaking through
her. and when she talks she will frequently put her
hand to her mouth as she says to prevent The
Other One from interrupting her or from say
ing things that should not be said. Sometimes
when she writes The Other One will inter
polate words that give the old lady much annoy
ance."
The reporter inquired as to the age of the old
est patient in the female department.
1--WE sent one away short time ago who was
eighty five years old Her insanity was little
more than second childishness. It is a species of
cruelty to send such harmless old people to this
place. She was so feeble breath would blow
her over the fence. Such persons are showed in
mothers, as they become old and childish, cared
for at the expense of the State The progeny of
poor old King Lear are more numerous than
many would suppose We have scores of dead
people here.'
''How is thatp
persons who have been forgotten by their
kindred But these poor unfortunates never
forget the careless or cruel ones who have ceased
to think about them. They are continually talk
ing Of home, and relatives, and friends. This is
especially true of the female patients. Many
of the men never mention home or
friends, but the women are always
looking forward to the time when their friends
shall come for them and take them home There
are persons here about whom no inquiry has
been made for years. Many tear is shed here
that should scald unfeelng and unnatural
hearts. l am not speaking of patients sent here
from poor-houses ether-those miserable ones
who, perhaps. never knew home or friends-b ut
of persons who have come from good famili es
and whose kindred stand well in society There
are some who cherish their living dead ones most
tenderly. Among these is gentleman at New
Albany and another at Madison. There are
many others; but speak of these in contrast
with other husbands
every rev days get letters from this latter
class of husbands A man in northern
Indiana srote me- day or two
ago, in answer to letter in which | had
told him. that l thought his wife was
hopelessly insane but that the ruling of the Su-
preme Court prevented him from getting di-
voree on that count He was highly indignant
Why wrote he, I have already hired lawyer,
and he has taken fee on it,
THE memory of names and faces that some
deranged persons bave is marvellous Time and
again visitors passing through the wards have
been recognized by inmates who have not seen
them, perhaps, for more than quarter of
century, and whom the many DISCUSSES of time.
in the way of wrinkles and gray hairs. failed to
keep from Identification"
On invitation of the Doctor the reporter
walked through number of the wards. He
found that the restraint chairs had been re-
formed into rocking chairs. A woman, employed
at needlework. sat near a window, The
Doctor explained that this patient had been
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