Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-05

that they be quietly removed. It is the
duty of a little bit Of woman from the
Government Hospital for the Insane to
bring In the mentally disordered women
and girls from that institution scheduled
for trial. The quieting influence she ex-
erts over these unfortunates Is really
wonderful: q gentle touch on the shout
der. whispered word, pressure or the
hand. and she who is on the verge or
emotional hysteria again becomes tract
able.
Many are the pathetic scenes that are
enacted in the courtroom on these
Thursday afternoons. Here the climax OF
many a life tragedy and many a bitter
struggle against the inevitable is reached!
Wife testifles against husband and hus-
band against wife. A son, taking the
stand, tells how his father is a slave to
the demon Drink; how he would like to
reform, but can't; how he is willing to
voluntarily go to the hospital for treat
ment that his body and mind may have
another chance to attain their normal
condition. Brother gives testimony as
to the decisions and Authorizations OF
brother; the man next door cites the iact
that the favorite hobby Of his One-time
friend and neighbor is breaking windows
and peering wildly into rooms. What
greater tragedy than reason unthroned!
A clean. healthy-lOoking man. the ia
Their of six. spoke in his own behalf A
religious fanatic, he had lost all control
of his nerves. Without rhyme or reason,
he was at times unduly excitable, unduly
hilarious; he would sing, whistle, laugh
Unfortunately. Then in a moment he was
in the depths OF dependency. sobbing,
sponsible wreck
But I'm well now" he said in voice
that had a manly ring. THE rest and
treatment did me good; they were fine
to me across the river; the ice baths put
new life into me and I'm able to work.
NY family needs me and 1 can get a
position. If l find that | am getting into
the old rut I'll give up and so back for
another treatment
And SO well did he impress the jury
that as one voice they rendered the YER
dict Sane.
But all cases do not end so favorably.
One wife had to see her husband taken
back for an indefinite period; an old man
in the last lingering stages of tubercu-
losis returned probably never to leave
until the last call comes for him. A
young man with the innocent, faraWay
expression of sleepy child could not be
the big wagon carried him again in the
direction Of st. Elizabeth.
Several colored women and girls in the
pitiful little group created an occasional
they were inclined to interrupt the wit
nesses. One woman came in jauntily as
though doing the cakewalk and favored
every one, even his honor himself with
a friendly, il vacant, smile. But when
one Of the doctors started to speak of
her case she was a different person.
+
Don't believe word he says" she
commanded. He can't hurt mel have
my fingers crossed and 1 can make the
high sign-Ill show you,' and she re-
volved SO that she might give her audi
ence the benefit of the strange motions
she was making. Another, entering with
a military salute. wanted TO shake hands
impartially with all those present.
There's nothin' the matter with me. .
reiterated one girl Its the rest Of 'em
that's crazy. I'd be all right IL they'd let
me alone, but how can / sleep with
voices in my room all night and speerits
crawlin' over my bed And thus, by their
own confession. do the most harmless
and sane looking ones prove themselves
unbalanced.
with whom has she been lvtng?' was
one Of the queries put to young mulattc
girl. as she was being questioned about
her sister-patient. The perplexed wit
ness looked at her interrogation blankly
The question was repeated-yet nc