Smyrna times., 1889-08-28
For the Smyrna Times
A Day With the Crazy.

"A LAY w I'LL lllC OIdZVs
Did you ever visit an Insane Asy-
lum? Perhaps not; probably you
think such a visit would be devoid of
interest or profit. That's so, it might
be. But we think differently. Let us
see If we cannot make a description of
our trip there interesting. Let us
throw aside all technicalities YOU
don't know anything about the dis
tinctions between delusions and hallu-
cinatiOns, or the different stages of de-
mentia, etc. Furthermore the average
individual would be foolish to bother
with such knowledge
So we promise to exclude all terms
that have the SAVIOR of medical trea-
tlse about them, and make use of Ian
guage with which you are perfectly
familiar. After all there is a wonder.
fuI charm in simplicity, matter
where it appears. Accompanied by
friend and colleague, we set out to see
land study, by coming in contact With
those cases of mental disorders about
which we were then hearing a great
deal. One of the chief men of the in
stitution is member of illustrious old
"Jetf's" inimitabe faculty.
This, in itself, assured us ofreceiving
every reasonable attention. Arriving
there, we were met at the door by one
OF the attendants and politely ushered
INTO reception room near by. We
mad not long to wait In a few min
utes the kindly voice of our genial
professor greeted us. He immediately
directed one of the resident pbvsi-
clans to show US around We began
with the milder cases, those in whom
no suicidal or other dangerous ten
dencles had manifested themselves.
Some of these men even yet, possessed
a decidedly distinguished appearances
AT the first glance, this was most
noticeable feature, but of course they
would not bear close and persistent
watching without altering this impress
sion. Doubtless many were men of
wealth and prominence in their day of |
prosperity-but now their usefulness
is past. Daring the periods of rest
between the attacks, they seemed as
! quiet as if sane.
But these rests were temporary and |
very uncertain, an outburst of passion
being liable to occur at any moment.
One man when we first came ND
talked as nationally as anybody. but
the wild light came into his eyes even
In the few minutes we were with him.
When we left he was telling how he
and George Washington used to do.
Near by another poor old fellow was
going on at a great rate, muttering,
wringng his hands, etc. He told us
he had forgotten the combination of
the safe. The accounts were all right
he said, the money was all there. He
was positive ON that pOint-but the
combinatiOn-there was the rub!
Very likely he is still trying to solve
abe mystery.
You can make your own diagnosis.
1t is an easy matter for you to formu.
late the probable causes-that led to his
being brought there. A little further
on we were accosted by bright hand
some looking man, whom l at first
thought might be on the staff. He
politely asked the doctor with us to
see that he was not buried alivel
Upon receiving assurance of proper
treatment, he quietly walked off.
Another patient was in a particularly
jolly mood. When asked the cause of
such unusal hilarity, he replied that
his wife, children and all his friends
had just been in to see him.
His talk all the way through was of
a decidedly ludicrous character. He
told us twenty-nine thousand of his
children, and many millions of his
friends had just left him. He -imag-
ined he was telling the truth about it.
His JOY was apparently so genuine, vet
we knew that following this would
come periods of dependency and we
could but pity him in his delusive hap. .
plness. In another part of the same
room was a patient afflicted rather
singulsrly. The moment we spoke to
him, he began to get excited.
He Immediately began to auctioneer /
his clothing. Off came his coat and
waistcoat, then his collar and tie, and
IN few minutes he would have en-. :
tirely divested himself of apparel, had
not the guard with us promptly STOP 4.
ped him. Next we were shown one
OF the most violent of the maniacal
cases. The attendant with us, stout j..
6urly man, unlocked the door of the
cell-like room and entered. At first
we saw nothing; everything was !
quiet The maniac was standing
against the wall back ofthe door. He
came away in a moment, however, and (
the guard grasped him firmly by the u
wrists. His clothing was of the sim {
plest, a single garment sufficing. It is
30 with all such cases both male and
female. Were you better acquainted j.
with these people the wisdom of such :
a course would at once occur to YOU. :
They are as easily satisfied on this !
point as some of the savage tribes of !,
Africa. In the way of dressing, moth :
ing suits them better than-nothinq. :,
Natures wonderful, close-fitting GOV.
ering alone meets every Indication.
But are we depressing? I have seen q
many pleasanter spectacles. He soon .
grew excited, mumbling at first in !,
low voice which gradually increased :
In pitch, his face bearing the charac. :
teristic terrible expression, his BODY :
swaying backward and forward like
was indeed a most
impressive sight. As we came awav =
The demoniacal laughter and yells of ;
she unfortunate man came floating Z