The observation, or rather the moral, in this case is so obvious, that it
is almost superfluous to add, that from the nature of his case, and his
own account of himself, his system both of body and mind had been brought
into the extreme state of morbid irritability by the conjoined excitement
of the dissipated companions, particularly of his early life,—unchecked
in their effects by the exercise of any moral restraint over himself; and
hence his mental powers and passions were not so much shattered and
decayed, as they were like a vessel without its pilot, the sport of every
wind and wave that assails it: bad habits had become too inveterate to
allow the will to be taught obedience to reason; all measures of
coercion, instead of inducing self-control, could only irritate and
exasperate, as he was perhaps still less accessible by religion than by
reason. I believe, however, that by gentle, and indirect means, he
gradually became less boisterous in his manners; but it is proper also to
add, that from age and disease, the sinking of his physical powers and
animal spirits might imperceptibly, but more effectually, tame him.
_No._ 16.—_Admitted_ 1799.
Nothing on record.—It is said she was a belle: she is thin and tall, and
is remarkable for a demure, prim, affected, stiff manner of sitting, like
vanity turned to stone. She will spend hours in dressing, undressing,
washing, &c. I have never heard her say more than “pretty well, thank
you.” Her mind seems rather empty and motionless than diseased or
deranged.
[Picture: No. 16 page 163]
_No._ 17.—_Admitted_ 1799.
Nothing on record.—She is a neat, clean, but rather crabbed-looking,
middle-aged woman; and who, unless she is provoked, is scarcely to be
distinguished from the sane; but when provoked, she is exceedingly
abusive, and exhibits the deranged state of her mind. She is very useful
as a laundress, and is known only by that name. The great objects of her
affections are cats and kittens. {164}
_No._ 18.—_Admitted_ 1800.
Nothing on record.—He was an Italian, of a swarthy complexion, dark eyes,
black hair; and to look on his countenance reminded one of an assassin,
“the mark was upon him.” He was subject to violent fits of excitement
when he was suspicious and thought himself insulted by a look or a word;
and from his ignorance of the English language, he might perhaps have
greater scope for suspicion. When offended, he gnashed his teeth;
striking one hand violently against the other; appearing from these, and
various other indications, to be preparing for action, and lashing
himself into a state of the most determined revenge, he watched his
opportunity, and seizing his victim with his teeth, was quite delighted
if he drew blood. He bit several, some seriously; and in one instance,
he bit a piece completely out of the lip of another. They all agree in
the house that they never saw a patient so ferocious, or one where harsh
measures _seemed_ more justifiable; yet nothing could conquer him—his
attendant believes “he would have died first.” It was no accidental
result of passion, but the settled object of his mind. {165a} He would
chuckle and triumph over the injury he had done; and this was the more
remarkable, as his mind in other respects was so much gone, that he
continued to the time of his leaving the asylum, occasionally a dirty
patient. Still it ought to be stated, that this ferocious disposition
and these dirty habits, if they had not been absolutely grafted on his
natural disposition, must have at any rate been made much worse by his
brutalizing treatment; for he was one of those who were formerly kept
naked in loose straw,—besides having during this time lost his toes,
supposed to be from his exposure to the cold, he could not so well defend
himself, and so might have been taught by necessity to have recourse to
his teeth. That he was made worse by his treatment, is evident, as
latterly he became sensible of kindness, and improved in personal
cleanliness; and his general manners indicated much less malignity of
feeling; indeed something like affection {165b} and gratitude to his
attendants, began to excite in them, without effort, kindly feelings
towards him. At first, (after the new state of things) it was with the
utmost difficulty that he was made to keep his clothes on, or to be kept
clean; but latterly, for many weeks together, he went on without any
restraint whatever. He was removed in May, 1822.