Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-03-02


the Spencer Asylum for the Insane,
on the stand for a renewal Of the
cross-examination by Mr. Hubbard.
The witness was first asked as to the
composition of the Boards of Directors
and Examiners at the asylum, and
then Mr.. Hubbard asked:
Q.-What was your definition of in
sanity, Doctor? A.-Well, mental un-
-soundness, or arrangement of the men
tai faculties.
$50, insanity is lack of sanity,
is it? Ayes.
The witness was asked to give his
authorities as to unSOundness of
mind, and the witness agreed to do so.
In reference to other questions DR..
Guthrie said mental unsoundness
might be caused by one thing. might
be apparent for time, and then dis
appear for time. Some discussion
ensued between witness and Mr.. Hub
bard as to the word monomania, and
counsel produced a report of the Spen-
Ger Asylum, and an examination of it
showed that more of the patients were
classed as monomaniacs. The witness
could not account for that. and was
of the opinion that some error had
crept into the compilation. He further
said that on some occasions patients
were discharged after having been un-
der observation. This was followed by
the question:
Odd you ever know of a case in
which insanity was caused by false
Imprisonment? Ayes; we had one
man who, it is said, was insane be-
cause of false Imprisonment, as the
exciting cause.
Q.-Could a man i'll of overwork
with disordered stomach and system
generally be brought into a state of
insanity? Ayes, with all those
causes as the exciting ones.
Q.-Is it very common thing for
one to have delusion that his food
is being poisoned? Ayes, we have
some such cases.
Q.-What would you say of man
who should awake in the night with
severe pains and in spite of this not
send for doctor objection, sus-
tained).
Q-Doctor, is man afflicted with
delusion, secretive or open and frank?
Ale may be either.
Dwell, what's usual? Al can
hardly say. ONE are open, and others
lay plans and are continually plotting.
Semitic dementia was the next topic
taken up by Mr.. Husssrd, who asked
if 1t was not common thing for peo-
pie in advanced years to have the idea
that somebody was after their prop
erty, to which the witness replied that
one advanced in age might nave sucn
a delusion. He WIS then asked as to
what he would say of a man who
would commence two proceedings in
the same cause in one day, and he an
swered that such a thing might be the
result of a delusion. A long examina-
ton resulted as to methods Of treat
ment in insanity cases, ETC., taking up
almost an hour. 1t was rather a pass
age at arms between witness and coun-
sci, in which the honors were about
even.
Later on, in response to a series of
questions, the witness said he had pre-
pared number Of questions for coun-
sci for defense, but he added that he
would be willing to do as much for
the other Size. as he had no bias in
the case. Witness was asked where
the questions were, and he said Mr..
Howard had them. After an objection
by defense a messenger was sent for
the questions, and they were produced
Witness said he had prepared them be-
fore he came to Wheeling, and did SO
because he was summoned for defense
as an expert, and thought he would
prepare a few questions to draw out
the necessary information. In reply
to question by Mr.. Hubbard if it was
not customary for attorneys to look
up their own authorities, the witness
said he had merely acted upon sug-
gestion, and thought there was moth
ing wrong in his action. In reply to
this Mr.. Hubbard remarked it was a
little strange the witness had not pre-
pared something on the other side, as
well. He then asked if the witness
was not employed by the defense and
this resulted in the admission that he
had received $500 as an expert wit
ness.
Q.-You refused to come for the
plaintiff for 500, didn't you? Al
never made a contract with the plain
tiff
Q.-Then you got 500 from the de-
tense and appear for them? Ayes;
l am here for any side that may want
me. Mr.. Smith gave me $50, and if he
wants me he can pay me the rest and
we will go on with the contract.
Q.-Then after Mr.. Smith gave you
$50 you got $500 from the other side
Al was hired as an expert and ex-
pected to get paid for my services.
This sort Of questioning and an
swers ran along until the noon adj
journmcnt, and at the afternoon ses-
sion DR.. Guthrie again took the stand,
and Mr.. Hubbard resumed his cues
tons. Witness produced his author
tiles upon especial forms of insanity.
but he said he declined to wade
through the books for the purpose of
ascertaining corroborative evidence for
any especial fact. The cross-examina-
ton ran along for an hour or SO, and
then Mr.. Howard asked a few ques-
tons in redirect examination bearing
upon the general issues involved in the
insanity feature of the case.
The witness left the stand at 80
O'Clock, and after a conversation be-
tween counsel for defense the defend
ant was recalled and took the stand.
The witness was asked IL he could