Alpena argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1893-1909, 1893-04-26
THE MONOMANIAC.

During the summer OF lo49
was in the western country, whittier
| had gone merely for recreation
and to escape for a season the weary.
ing duties of my profession.
reached Louisville, KY, towards the
latter part of July, and there
meant to remain some time.
| was sitting in my room one
morning, enjoying my newspaper
and cigar, when one of the servants
of the hotel informed me that there
was a gentleman in the Office who
wished to see me very much.
asked his name, and then the fellow
remembered that he had the visit
or's card | took it and read, in a
neat, copperplate impression, phil
ip Severns, M. d." I directed the
messenger to see the doctor up; and
ere long the gentleman entered. He
was a.stout, good-looking man past
forty, and looked 'every inch of the
doctor"
This is Doctor Belknap, | be-
lieve," he said, bowling with warm
smile upon his face
1T is, said |; and in few me-
mtnts more we were engaged IL
just such conversation Us might be
holden between friends of Years
standing.
Doctor he said, after we had
ratified away some fifteen minutes
or so, Il have come to obtain your
professional assistance. You have
probably had cases of insanity to
deal with in the course of your
practice?"
"A very few" / told him.
But you are willing to help me
if you camp"
Certainly" | answered.
"Well, the case is here; just on
the edge of the adjoining county,
lives wealthy planter by the name
of Landear. He is one of our first
men, and much respected by all
who know him. But lately he has
met with a strange and sad misfor-
tune. He presents one of the most
curious cases Of monomania that |
ever heard of. For many years lie
has been in the habit of going off
at certain seasons for the purpose of
hunting bear. Last spring he went,
and during one of his hunting ex-
cursions, he was attacked by an old
she bear, that got him down, and
would have killed him had not time
ly assistance arrived. The bear was
killed, and Landear was picked up
and carried to the camp.
When he revived he seemed sad and
melancholy, and expressed the opin-
ion that he should not live long, and
begged that he might be carried
home at once. The request was
complied with, and when he reached
home l was sent for. | found him
with very slight fever, and con-
fusion upon the side Of the head.
But the skull was not injured at all,
md l soon made up my mind that
ne was suffering more from the
Effects of the shock upon his mind
han from any physical effect. |
found that he shuddered fearfully
when the subject of the bear was
He had given himself
Up as dead man before the succor
arrived, and his mind seemed to
lwell on that one moment when the
mad beast stood over him ready to
levour him. | gave him such med
cine as l knew would very soon re-
ieve him of all physical difficulty,
md then took my leave, having,
lmong other directions, cautioned
he family against speaking about
he bear in his presence.
"When / next heard from him
lis son came to my office-it was
bout week after my visit-and
Informed me that his father was
razy as could be--that he tried to
ill everybody that came near him;
nd that with the assistance Of the
egroes they had got him bound. /
fastened off at once, and found Lam {
ear in the most confirmed state Of
nonomania. He swore that he ,
vas bearl conversed with him
long time, and found him perfect
y rational on other points. He
freely, but thst one idea
lung to him. He would growl and :
'lare, and ask me to look at his
laws, imagining that his fingers ,
'ere real claws.
"Since then ! have done all that
~ in my power. l have resorted !
a oil L;nda of ,nloasa,,I a4ra4aera.,s !