The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1892-05-13

When DR. David Tilton Brown, who had
been superintendent of the Bloomingdale
insane asylum, in New York city, for
nearly quarter of IA century, became ir-
rational in 1874 or 1875, and, after being
taken abroad for change of scene, developed
the most violent form of insanity, necessi-
tating his incarceration in I'm Edinburgh
institution, the case was cited as an illus
tration of the old tradition, and it was al
legged that the unsettling of his mind was
due entirely to the depressing influence
exercised upon it by daily intercourse with
hundreds of afflicted mortals during so
many years
So. too. with DR.. Andrew Mcfarland
the proprietor and former head physician
of Ola Lawn Retreat. Jacksonville, Ills,
who committed suicide a few weeks ago
An additional argument cited was that DR.
Mcfarland, before establishing Oak Lawn
Retreat, had been up to 1850 superintend-
ent of the New Hampshire hospital, and
from that time until 1870 had had charge
of the Central Illinois insane asylum. 1t
was also recalled that he had been great
friend of DR. David Tilton Brown, and
that, like him, he had for long time been
recognized as one of the most prominent
alienists in the United States Like DR.,
Brown, TOO. he was of "A particularly SYM
pathetic nature, and this, along with the
other facts, was brought forward to
strengthen the claim that his mind had
been affected by his profession.
These are the things which have been
told, but the exact manner of the death Of
DR. Mcfarland and the causes leading up
to it, as well as the event which first made
the reason of DR. Brown waver, have not
been generally published
When DR. David 1ilton Brown took
charge of the Bloomngdtle asylum in 1859
be was young MANN fact, the youngest
who had ever held so important position
in New York state He was of an exceed
ingly jovial temperament, was fond OF good
living. played a good game of billiards,
liked any kind of books except medical
works, and though he soon made national
reputation as an authority upon diseases of
the brain it was more as the result of the
influence given him by his position and
his wonderfully brilliant intellect than be-
cause of any deep research. As for his con-
slant contact with the patients, that is a
myth. Leading alienists and other persons
familiar with the duties OF the OIL Gals OF
insane asylums know that the superintend
ent exercises only general supervision over
the patients, and that most of his informa
ton as to individual cases is derived from
the reports of the heads of the various de
partments Even these are usually only
lightly scanned, except when something OF
especial moment occurs. Therefore, as DR.
Browns administration of the affairs al
lBloomingdale was about the same as that o.
other insane asylum superintendents-cer
tainly no more exacting-it is scarcely prob
able that his duties would have unbalanced
his mind Besides, while DR.. Brown was
particularly warm hearted and genial man
his was not what might have been called 1
sympathetic nature.
What really did break down the intellec
,of David Tilton Brown was this; During
, the early months Of 1872, when IT was pro
posed to nominate Liberal Republican
} candidate against President u. 5. Grant
whose first term was then drawing to
close the question of Horace Greeley
availability was canvassed. Greeley min
was at that time in a very weak condition
Some of his most intimate friends urge
= the great editor TO forego his ambition
which was certain, they pointed out to re
suit in disaster. But Greeley was proven
bially obstinate, and he refused to listen
Y any advice which counseled the relinquist
! ing of his idea that he could beat Grant
However rs Charles Francis Adam
= seemed to be developing strength, it wa
decided to leave Greeley alone TO his VI
{ gary. But when the convention assemble
II AZ CINCINNATI tn the great gurDriSe of q