The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-25
PERIODICAL INSANITY.


-
In Every Twenty-fOur.
Mason, Ill, Oct 24.-The Chicago Tribune
correspondent recently visited Eli Rlner IN
an iron-barred basement room Of St. An
thongs hospital, ut Efingham, I'll. 1t was
Just 1888 p. M. and the door of the room
was suddenly closed with q bang and firmly
bolted from the outside, leaving the inmate
alone. Rider became frantic maniac at
exactly TAO. He ground his teeth. glared
like an enraged beast, battered the walls
and door with his clenched fists, clapped
his loosely manacied hands at intervals and
hurled the pillows and bedclothes about the
apartment with awful fury. But not
word escaped his lips. This confined for
ten minutes, when he suddenly and
deliberately seated himself on the floor, and
heavily. for space OF iive min utes. Then
he abruptly arose. and for ten minutes
enacted the same maniacal scene. Finally,
being attracted by the light which he held
at the window, he cautiously approached,
his eyes blazing and his teeth grating with
a sound like that made by castanets. One
of the party called him by name. No reply.
..Show me your teeth,'' said one. Instantly
he opened his mouth. .'Are you all right
now. Eli?'' another asked.
Eyes," in q half whisper, halt hiss. Can
we come imp s.Yes.'
The mans pulse was normal. There was
no symptom Of stupor: no sign of exhauss
ton: nothing to indicate diseased conli-
ton of mind or body. He is 43 years old;
has five children; no heridatary taints; no
malformations; no bad habits, but he is il
literate.
DIR. J. B. Walker, the attending ply stefan,
said: s.It is remarkable case of periodic
insanity, although in no respect a typical
one. For sixteen weeks every night this
man, at precisely TAO, has become violently
insane, the attack lasting about half an
hour. At all other times he is as rational
as any man. Close study and observation
have convinced me of the genuineness of
his insanity. have administered as much
as sixty grains of choral to prevent q par
oxysm. with no perceptible effect. He re-
ceiyes warning of one minute before each
attack.
In order to test the case Rider was called
before small party at the hospital one eve
ming. and DR.. Walker said to him: ELI,
these men are physicians, and we have con-
cluded, as a last resort in your case, that if
you have another attack tonight it will be
necessary for us to burn your spine along
its entire length with q red-hot IRON"
Rider grew pale and strongly objected.
'sThis is severe treatment, it is true, but
necessary If You have another attack, as We
have all agreed"
Still he objected. II lacked only fifteen
minutes of his time for the spell. In front
of his door an attendant was heating an
iron rod in soldering stove. Rider WINGED
as he glanced at it, but entered the room.
An attendant refused to put the straps on
the patient. Il was 1883.
''Then give me the cuffs exclaimed the
doctor, and before he had finished the SEN
tence Riders teeth were grinding and his
hands were at the throat of spectator. A
terrific struggle ensued, and it required
four strong men to throw him to the floor.
The straps were adjusted, chloroform was
administered, and in half an hour Rider
was again himself, but oblivious Of all that
had taken place.