Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-24

pital.
1t may not be amiss in this connec-
ton, even though it be considered a
depression, to cite a few cases from a
paper which l prepared on Freaks Of
the Brain" (from which have already
quoted), in order to delineate how a
brain in distress has stamped its i'm
press upon the characters Of some ia
nous men who have figured in the
worlds history.
Il think it may be stated as an incon-
trovertible fact, that some of the sub
/ FINEST opinions, the most stupendous
enterprises, the most generous and
magnanimous acts, the creation Of the
most wonderful and often successful
campaigns, have emanated from men
under hallucination. To those who
have regarded the hallucinated as ut
terly incapable of carrying on and con-
summating the powers of reason, this
assertion may be viewed as anomalous,
if not paradOxical 1t must not be for
gotten. however, in this connection, that
the mind may be disturbed by an hal
lucination, and may yet retain strength
of concentration and action. In other
words. hallucination of sight may ex-
ist. unaccompanied by delusion, or
mental alteration, which, being ac-
cepted as a fact. solves the seeming
mystery surrounding some Of our cases.
1T must be conceded that this is
very agreeable philosophy, and, in a
measure, removes from the mind Of
man the innate dread and keen aver
sion that he is wont to entertain Tor
the hallucinated. The position is
strengthened, also, by the acts Of this
class of individuals who aspire to and
accomplish hazardous undertakings
which please and are in consonance
with the fancies of man, and instead
of being viewed as the offspring of a
distorted imagery, they are attributed
to the powers of genius.
But. per contra, we must not lose
sight of the melancholy fact that some
of the darkest and most heartrending
tragedies that were ever perpetrated,
nave originated in the minds of the
hallucinated. This phase of the disease
however. is not permitted to exist for
any considerable length of time, with
out being recognized by the public,
for the violent manifestations that ac-
company it call for interference, and
the unfortunate victims are speedily
arrested and restrained"
As an instance of this theory, l will
call your attention to that of Ajax, who
was contemporaneous with the period
in which Saul reigned.
This instance portrays quite forci-
bly, the characteristics Of an illusion.
Learning that the arms Of the dead
Achilles had been awarded to Ulysses,
Ajax became furiously enraged with
maniacal symptoms; and on observing
herd of swine he scourged them I'M
mercifully. under the belief that they
were the sons of Atreas. and finally.
securing two of the number, logged
them severely, impressed with the idea
that one Of them was his enemy Ulys-
ses. and the other his judge.
Being haunted by visions Of revenge
sleep took its flight, contentment gave
wav to chagrin, and determination be-
came the ruling passion of the dislp-
pointed warrior. And one night, quite
late when the lights were no longer re-
ouired. Ajax secured his monstrous
sword. and with cheeks flushed with
excitement. and eyes giistening with
rage stealthily and clandestinely left
home to avoid detection by his wife,
and sailed forth towards the public
highways. where his designs could,
without interference, be cOnsummdtea.
After a time. he returned with the
spoils of his daring and successful eX-
plot. consisting principally of cattle OF
various kinds. herdsmer's dogs, etc,
some Of which were sacrificed at The
point of the sword, others were bound
az captires, and still others were
scourged as men.
at length he came forth out Of his
tent. and held long and warmly inter-
esting dialogue with some phantom.
With this he frequently spoke Of the
sons of AREAS, and often mentioned the
name of Ulysses. With peals Of laugh
ter. commingled with a demeanor OF
self-complacency, he related in most
loouacious style, the signal defeat Of his
enemies and the ample revenge which
he had obtained thereby. Returning
again to his tent, the sense Of reason
began to slowly dawn upon him, and
casting his eyes over the ground spread
with carnage and destruction, he
bruised his head from q sense Of re-
morse. uttered a lugubrious cry, and fell
prostrate amidst the havoc Of his own
perverted violence
Another case. delinea'ing the extent
TO which blinded jealousy may influence
the mind. is that Of King Theodore.
.A1Iov.ing the DreiudiCas of his cour-