The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-09
MRS. Ebert,s Immunity case.

To the Editor Of the INDIANAPOLIS Journal
Ely attention has been called to an article in
last Sundays Journal in reference to the Ebert
insanity case, in which criticism is made upon
my testimony in the same Now, while the arti-
Gle does me great injustice, would not deem it
of sufficient importance to myself to call for re-
ply. save in the manner in which the case
has been distorted and the wide circulation
given it by your journal Common justice re-
Quires that the other side of the question should
be presented. The facts in the case as briefly
as can state them are as follows: I first be.
came acquainted with Mrs. Ebert about two
years ago, when was called upon to treat her,
which attempted to do for PERIOD probably,
of two months, but was utterly foiled in
any attempt to carry out anything like a
systematic course, on account OF her mental
peculiarities and her husband and gave it up
in despair. During this time, and once after
ward, was called upon to decide as to the ad-
Visibility of calling an inquest, with view to
sending her to the asylum, but fearing to do her
injustice declined to do so. She then moved
away and fell into other hands. who. am told,
experienced the same difficulties that had, and
| heard no more of her until / was appointed to
act as medical examiner in a commission
of lunacy. The testimony in the was
ample enough to show a. mild case of insanity.
The cause of this may have been as DIR. Fletcher
says, partially from abuse. and her mind. natur-
anced; but of the cause we had nothing TO do, but
to judge of her present condition. 1t was agreed
by all that as she would not take treatment at
home the rest and supposed scientific treatment
at the asylum would be just the thing needed,
especially as she seemed imbued with vague
idea that the German plan Of being treated in a
hospital was the only plan.
Not supposing that my testimony would be pub
lfshed but would be read by medical expert, I
aimed at brevity and conciseness, and did not
give any opinion based on any previous knowl-
edge of the case, but gave the salient points as
developed in the evidence. perhaps too briefly,
but still plain enough, claim, SO that a man
with fair knowledge of the English language
and not afflicted with preternatural obtuseness
could understand it. do not claim to be an
expert on insanity but I have graduated
country, besides attending full courses in two
others. and have been engaged in active practice
fifteen years, and will venture the prediction
that unless the conditions and surroundings
under which she has lived, until recently. are not
improved, she will herself fully vindicate the
correctness of our diagnosis.
l have a faint suspicion that DR.. Fletcher took
his cue or was undnly influenced in making up
his judgment by certain sensational articles
knew but very little of the case
Even If this not the fact, it
is barely possible for even the superintendent
of asylum to be mistaken, especially if it
| should happen, as it sometimes does, that this
most pitiable class of beings the insane, are
placed under the care of political accident,
with little more qualifications than some Of the
inmates of his wards.
Hoping that this statement of the facts will
in some measure take the place of the Philadel-
phia lawyer called for, l am, B. r. GRAHAM
PERU, Ind; Aug. 6.