The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-07-24

Had had busy day, and was look
ing forward with pleasure to the
close of my hours for consultation, when
distinguished journalist was an
nounced--one whom had long known,
and who had done ali excellent piece Of
work in showing how easy ii was to
incareerate a perfectly sane man in 4
lnnatic asylum. His visits were always
"a pleasure to ne, so directed him to be
al once shown in. He entered laughing.
you have not yet got me into your
omtches," he said, though If | con-
tinue much longer in Washington as Il
newspaper correspondent | fear some
one OF your long-named moustrosities
will fnsten on what brain | may have
left. | want you TO let me bring brok-
en-down man TO see you. lie is worm
out financially, socially, mentally, phys
ically, and every other why.
He cannot pay you Il cent, and prob
Ebly he will not even thank you for any
services you may render him. On the
contrary, he may do you an injury if he
can get good chance, solely for the
purpose Of working evil. He used to be
prince among men. Now he is an en-
cumbrance on the public. His friends
all but me, have long since abandone1
him to his vicious inclination for NOR
phia.'
l knew something of the depths of
degradation to which opium could bring
Il man or woman. | knew that il abol-
ished the moral sense, so that stealing,
lying and hypocrisy are practieed with
perfect equanimity by persons who have
formed the habit of using it; but a
wreck so complete as J. described
was, even in my experience, unusual. |
told him would do what could for his
so-called friend" and appointed three
O'Clock the next day for the consulta-
ton. This was out of my Office hours
for | wished to have plenty of time for
the study of the case, and perhaps for
initiating a cure. | waited in my con-
suiting-room the next day till quarter
past three, and then, as j and his
disrcputable friend did not appear. |
went 10 the Army medical lIorary and
WAS deep in a number of French and
German medical journals when heard
is voice at my shoulder.
"Your man told me you were here"
he said. 80 hurried over to catch you.
OF course, the scamp disappointed me,
but am inclined to think that this time
twas not his fault; for If he is not sham
ming-and he is quite capable of that
he is probably dying. want you to go
with me at once. have got him in a
room adjoining my Office"
Nov" said, when we were seated in
the carriage, tell me something more
about this man."
II have known him. answered j.,
after moments reflection, for about
year. He was practicing medicine in
New York when we first met, and
seemed to be occupying an excellent po-
sition. | knew that he had some of the
best people for his patients, and that
he was a man of wealth. lie spent
great deal of money in experiments and
in charity. | was doing special work
for the Reformer at the time, and often
met him, dressed in shabby clothes,
proving about the slums of New York
in search of objects of benevolence, or
for material for work on sociology
u at he was writing.
He came to see me first" j went
on, Sin consequence of my successful
attempt, in connection with my jour
nalistie work, TO get myself shut up in
a lunatic asylum as dangerous mad
man, in order that might ascertain the
truth or falsity of reports respecting
cruelty to patients. That experiment
seemed to rouse the most intense inter
est. He often mentioned the fact that
many persons slammed insanity, or
feigned other diseases, for the purpose
of accomplishing some end, or simply
from an impulse to deceive.
"Of course know all about the malin- |
gering of prisoners, soldiers, sailors and |
others to avoid duty, or to escape l~n- |
ishment; but he carried his views far
beyond that, aud enunciated so many |
original notions that | found him not |
only entertaining but instructive. He |
appeared TO enjoy my society, and con-
sequently we were very much together. /
He has written a good deal, and his |
books and monographs are somewhat |
known. Surely, you must have heard |
OF DIR. Lanville2n
"Dr Tanvillel" | exclaimed. "You |
don't mean TO tell me that your broken |
down friend is DIR. Lanville?"
"Nes, ! do; but he has changed his |
name and has dropped the doctor Well /
10 go on. When was ordered here he |
was greatly distressed, and announced |
his intention Of following me, not only /
IN order 10 be with me. but. as he said. /
10 work mp some SUBJECTS he was study |
ing and TO avail himself of the libraries |
and collections in Washington. About |
month after nay arrival he appeared, |
but greatly changed"
"Tcll Inc how. ] said
'instead Of being dressed in the best
and most stylish-cut clothes. his attire
was iilmade. dirty and looked as
though 'ght have been bought years !