The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-05-15
Anaersnss gnteIItgeuesr.
WANTED--AB BRAIN.
A Thrilling Experience III an Insane
Asylum.

~ IuttHHhy EApe'toHUo !" q" "Sa"o
Asylum.
In the summer of 1860 I had occa-
sion to visit well-known asylum for
the insane. The institution is, be
lieve, reckoned among the best Of it's
kind in this country. The distin-
gushing feature in its system Of treat
ment is that Of according to patients
all reasonable freedom "a system
which, I am informed, has been fol-
lowed with the most encouraging re-
suits. So far as practicable, the in
mates of the asylum are treated like
sane men and women; instead Of be-
ing constantly reminded Of their in
trinity, they were led to forget it, if
the power to forget itremains.
sOn the day Of my visit 1 had pur-
chased case of medicines for one Of
the assistant physicians, who was an
intimate friend. This [ had done at
his request, and it was to deliver these
medicines that I made my journey to
the asylum. --.,5,.,,-
Ascending Che. massive stone steps,
was conducted by one of the atten-
dants into the reception-room. Here
was left to wait until my presence
could be announced to my friend, DR..
Balcom. It so happened that I was
the only occupant of the room, and to
Fepgage my mind while / waited, I
picked rup a. copy .Aof De Quincey's S
Confessions" and began to read.
While thus occupied voice accosted
me, saying:
"Did you wish to see any one,
Looking up, I saw the speaker was
small, neatly dressed man, who had
entered unobserved, and who had evil
dently addressed me to make his pres
ence known.
81 was waiting I replied, s'to see
DR.. Balcom.'
"The doctor is engaged just at pres
ent on very important case. Would
you like to make tour of the build
ing?"
answered that [ should:be pleased
to do so, and thereupon my friend com
Quoted me out into the hall. I dis
covered that he was one Of the atten-
dants in the asylum; and he also in.
formed me that he had studied insan-
ityforsa number of years with view
tosfttipg, himself for a physician.
Under 80 excellent a guide l was
conducted through the building, and
fshown the numerous points Of interest.
Those patients whose cases possessed
particular interest were also pointed
out to mes and their. idiosyncrasies
fully explained.
'tThe man whom we just passed, !"
said my companion, referring to a
large, fresh-faced, mild-eyed patient,
"is one of the most dangerous patients
we ever had.
"Indeedl |" I Ireplied; 'one would
| not think so from looking at him.
s'No; but the appearance Of insane
people is deceptive. There was wo-
man here sometime ago-a pale, sweet
faced, delicate creature-whom we all
thought saint, and who acted as one
until she succeeded in getting hold Of
carving knife, and then she cut
the throats Of two of her fellow-pa-
tients.
ssIs there not danger" 1 asked,
Sin granting ar so much liberty to in
"Well it is our system. We find
in some instances, Of course, that the
freedom is abused, but in the majority
of cases it works well. ,-.
This and much more conversation
took place between the attendant and
myself as passed through the
halls.
''I OBSERVE" he said, that youcarry
a medicine chest, and infer that you
are physician.
"No," I rejoined; although I have
the equipments Of a doctor, L should
make but sorry work using. them
They belong to DR.. Balcom, and Icall-
ed to:deliver them. Then, looking
at my watch, I added; 1T fear I am
keeping the doctor waiting by my long
absence.
ri think he is not disengaged yet,""
returned my companion; 1--WE shall
have time to go out on the roof of the
building, from which the views are
really magnificent - sS
Accordingly my guide led the way
up the spiral staircase, which connect.
ed the topmost story with the roof, I
! following at his heels. Asw emerged
through the broad skylight, the scene
| which presented itself to the eye was
really magnificent. To the right lay
the river, winding like silver thread
through the pleasant valley; in front
could be seen the distant spires of the
neighboring town, glistening in the
sunlight; and afar off rose the hills,
their SUBMITS lost in the blue of the
| heavens. The carefully kept grounds
| of the asylum beneath us looked like a
map, gorgeous with its many hues Of
flowers. {
s'This certainly is a pleasant view"
| said.
"It is still better from the opposite
side Of the building" returned my
guide. "Let us go over there
Accordingly we walked along the
fiat roof, the attendant taking the pre-
caution to close the skylight behind us,
lest any of the patients should be
tempted to follow us. The asylum is
some 250 feet in length, and as we
emerged from the westerly end of the
| roof we had this considerable distance
to walk. A'' 49,
Suddenly, when we had reached a
point midway in the building, my COM
panion stopped and turning upon me
| abruptly, said:
"Have you large brain?"
Hooked at him a little wondering
ly, and then laughed as I replied:
"Well, if I have, the world has not
discovered it. )"
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