Omaha daily bee., 1906-09-16

one with himself or her
self. At the same time insan-
ity u a disease. subtle ana
sinister, intrenched on the slopes and sum-
rnits as wen a. social iowiands, involving
wider range of interests as regards the
welfare and happiness OF individuals, fam
Hes or of communities than any other
malady known TO mankind. One In every
four hundred Inhabitants of the United
States In crazy IN the eyes of the law. ARID
there are probably three hundred thousand
free persons in this country who should be
tmmured as menaces TO society"
DR.. Carlos F. Macdonald renders this
startling verdict as the sequel of more
than thirty years of study and observa-
tion as an alienist. He was asked how a
man or woman may know when he or she
Is not crazy
Standing at the head Of his profession.
this great insanity expert has probably
diagnosed more homicide cases thar any
living physician in this country, the
most recent case involving his attention
being that Of Harry X Thaw. who faces
trial for Staying Stanford White.
Prior to the Madison Square roof gar
den tragedy nobody questioned the sanity
OF the young P1ttsburg man despite his
periodic eocenfricities. Since then, %
scene has followed scene IN the tragic
epiiogue. the one battling riddle OF the
case has been:-'Ts or was young Thsw
sane or insane7"
How is sanity or the reverse determined7 2
Il dementla becoming epidemic In this
city and. country, burdened. as are the
American people. with. ever weightier
cares and worries in the race for golden
eoals7 Are faddists, automobile enthusi-
ssts. sky pilots, lovers and 30 on really
sane or safe members OF society?
American alienists are just concluding an
extensive Investigation Of certain mental
peculisfities among masses and classes,
with a view TO determining whether such
abncrmalities are evidences OK INSANITY
or merely queer traits habitual to, most
human beings They have decided that the
cases presented 20 them evidenced over
wrought nerves rather than mental taints
Many tests made by DIR. Macdonald and
his confreres have had amusing phases.
Men and women have been watched when
they sought spectacles, presumably mis-
laid. only 10 find them perched on their
bnows. Others have been examined for
what is known as cat fear-a fear which
haunted even Napoleon. who would re-
treat from a harmless tabby with more
alacrity than from a Russian regiment.
still others addicted TO Nightmares were
examined as were those superstitious pei
sons who fear TO wear opals, walk unoer
ladders. shatter mirrors. and 50 on.
j Another cases instanced Is that OF
young man who became engaged 10 nve
Young women simultaneously ana who ut-
teriy forgot his responsibilities In the
premises Was he demented? HIS sup
posed fiancees thought so. but mental ex-
perts have catalogued him as merely
victim of strang1 absent mindedness or
recurrent loss of memory, which may be
readily remedied. All OF the cases OBJ
served ana recorded. however, were not
amusing and harmless. One. for instance
studied closely by DIR. Macdonald was an
absent minded mother who tossed her baby
In the nre. supposing the infant TO be
bundle Of wood. This woman is now con-
nned In hospitals confirmed victim OF
remorse or rather, regretfulness.
How many times have you looked at
your watch and replaced it In your pocket
without having the slightest idea OF the
tmef How often have you forgotten
whsher you handed the street car con-
ductor nickes7 What is your degree OF
desnentia7 -.
such cases are known technically a.
motor habits and are by no means evil
dences OF insanity. though they At times
border on dsmentia IN that they evidence
mental weakness and wasting powers OF
concentfat9n.