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  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

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    ' « In The Last Number Of This Journal W...

    Not " every bo kindness when the that disease affection forsaking can suggest the clay lavished fastens on itself the upon sufferer the .

    mind . The fact of insanit , y being present , in the family , is too terrible to be contemplated , the secret must be kept from the world ,

    and in the desire for concealment the benefit of the unhappy sufferer is overlooked .

    Some will exclaim that this description is exaggerated : we can assure pur readers that it is not , and could cite hundreds of cases to

    support our argument . Nay , let us ask if such an example as the following is not one of daily occurrence , and such as all must be

    familiar with—where ,, if the disease had been developed in consumption , change of aira winter even at Madeirawould no sooner have been

    advised than , . concurred in , coupled with , the best nursing and the most devoted attention . It may be that an irregular educationa

    , misp view laced of reli attachment ionhas led , a to sudden this dire reverse disease of appearing fortune , or in a a perverted beloved

    member of g the famil , y . So gradual is the progress of the malady as to be almost imperceptible . She is low spiritedshe is captiousshe

    cannot give her attention ; when asked if she is , ill she re _} : > lies in , the negativenothing more is saidnothing is donetill at length the

    crisis comes , —she is seized with , delirium . The , knocker is tied up , the street is covered with straw , anxious inquirers are assured

    that , though still very ill , the patient is getting better . The leather rots fromthe knockerthe strawtrodden into mudis carted away

    by the scavenger , . Yet , the same , answer is repeated , . At length it is saidshe has gone into the country for change of airevasive

    , , reasons are given for her long absence—till , as if by mutual consent , the subject is droppedand the family return to their ordinary pursuits

    , as though a death had taken place , only there has been no mourning to throw off . Let us , however , follow her . Terrified at seeing

    one so gentle , so amiable , transformed either into the raving maniac or the sullen idiotand full of apprehension lest the world should

    , know what has taken place , her relatives seek advice . One recommends thisanother that ; some add to their alarm by working upon

    their fears , as to the danger of such a charge ; others , taking advantage of their weak point , care not to avow that , if known , the

    prospects of the family are ruined . Some excellent " Retreat" is proposed , where every luxury and attention is bestowed upon the

    inmates ; or else a private family is strongly recommended , where one patient only is received , to whom they exclusively devote themselves .

    At first every inducement is held out for relatives to visit her , _. but graduallhints are given of the excitement caused by too

    frequent intercourse y , letters are withheld , means but too well known employed to promote excitement when friends do insist on calling ;

    tions outward as to appearances the unremitting attest attention the truth bestowe of the d proprietor upon his ' p s atient asser ® . -

    The and i the gnorance groundless of the fears relative that s as ignorance to the manner ever of awakens treating , favors insanity the ,

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    392 INSANITY , PAST AND PKESENT .

• Citation
  • English Woman’s Journal (1858-1864), Feb. 1, 1861, page 392, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ewj/issues/ewj_01021861/page/32/