The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-06-29
CAUSE OF INSANITY.
Sane People Are Sometimes Accused OF
Mental Unsorndness.

Sane People Are Sometimes Accused OF
Mental Unsorndness.
1t is bad enough certainly to be forced
to the conclusion that the mind of some
member of ones family is affected even
ever SO slightly; but when. following
upon the heels of this fact. it is neces-
sary to give moments thought to the
consequence of mental dera ngement,
the subject assumes most alarming pro-
portions. 1t requires but very little
familiarity with the present methods
of treating insane people to convince
the most careful observer that there is
urgent needsfor reform in almost every
thing belonging to the management OF
retreats and asylums for this purpose.
When all is told, when the best of
medical experts have investigated
case, when all known tests have been
applied and the patient has been for
some time under the most rigid
scrutiny, there yet remains a very
wide margin of doubt as to whether
the individual really is or is not af-
ficted with undue mental disturbance,
Take any person or persons whose
soundness of mind has never been ques-
toned and who have never been accused
even of idiosyncrasies, suddenly turn Il
suSpiciouseye on them, let them imagine
or know that they are watched and
commented on and wondered about
and feared, and it might not be diff
cult to discover in their conduct symp-
toms of serious mental arrangement.
{ 1t was said, some years ago, by a
man who was a profound student of
human nature. that it would be posi-
ole to destroy the mental equilibrium
of almost any man within a month by
constant watching and officious espion
age. If the man did nothing else 10
indicate insanity, he would be quite
likely to fly into a sudden passion and
break somebody's head
All well-balanced persons resent in
reference and spying, and once let it
enter into the mind of the person that
his conduct is under suspicion, and a
feeling of anger and intolerance takes
possession of him. AS anger and dis
like of overlooking care are almost al
ways looked upon as symptoms of GER
tain forms of insanity, it is easy to see
how the two conditions might, III q
short time, be merged into one, and
that the temper would become so irri-
able that deeds of violence and evil
dences of INSTRUMENTATION would speedi-
ly crop out.
Not long since, a man was committed
to an insane asylum simply because,
having purchased new Sewing-ma-
chine and offered in exchange an old
one. which the agent refused to take,
as it was worthless, he took the ma
chine into the back yard, broke it up.
threw the metal portions into heapof
old iron and the wood parts among the
kindling. His neighbors saw this, and.
as he had been considered a little queer,
they became frightened and reported
the fact to the landlord. This man.
who was wealthy and influential, inn
mediately made his appearance. and,
upon looking over the yard and house,
discovered other pieces OF what looked
to him like demolished furniture. He
straightway made a complaint to the /
authorities, declaring that the man was
insane, was breaking up the furniture
and that he feared he would destroy or
in lure the house.
The anger and violent language of !
the tenant, when the officers made their !
was used to emphasize the !
situation. and on this plea alone the |
man was committed TO an insane asy |
lum.
There are few persons who are so /