The following case, taken _verbatim_ from the Care Book of the Insane
Asylum at Blackwell's Island, will serve as a _type_ of the many to be
found in every hospital for the insane in this country. (_And a terrible
and noteworthy fact is, that according to the recent annual reports of
these institutions, both in this country and Europe, insanity, idiocy
and dementia from Seminal Losses and Sexual Abuses, are increasing from
year to year._)
{Illustration: Fig. 4.
Appearance of James McC----, a few weeks before he died.
(See below.)}
"James McC----, admitted to the Asylum ten days ago. Single, clerk, born
in N.Y. State. Was found on 6th Avenue surrounded by a crowd who were
attracted by his violent and frantic efforts to destroy everything
within his reach. On being arrested and taken to the 29th Precinct
Station House, he was recognized by the Sergeant on duty at the desk
as having been arrested twice before within a week--once for violent
shouting and disturbance in the street, and once for an attempt at
suicide by drowning. As he had attempted his life by hanging the last
time he was locked up, and had afterwards seriously injured himself by
trying to dash his brains out, he was adjudged insane, and a watch set
on him all night. In the morning, when taken before the magistrate, he
was violent and abusive, using the most frightfully obscene and profane
language. There he was held for examination and sent to Bellevue in a
"straight-jacket," which was found to be necessary in order to control
him. From the padded cell there he was sent here.
"Upon examination he is found to be suffering from acute mania,
alternating with periods of intense melancholia in which he invariably
attempts to take his own life. His language when excited exceeds in
obscenity anything ever heard. During the intervals of quiet he is
constantly practicing the vile habit which has undoubtedly been the
cause of his insanity. He has lost all sense of shame and continues to
practice before visitors, attendants and physicians. He makes no effort
to go to the water-closet, and his clothes and cell are in a filthy and
disgusting state. Ever since admission he has refused all food, and it
has been necessary to feed him with a stomach pump. He is losing flesh
and strength every day, and is fast wasting away.
"From his relatives who have twice called to see him it was learned
that his mental trouble came on very suddenly, although his memory and
faculties have been failing for some time past. They say that he
complained of sleeplessness, numbness and tingling sensations in the
arms and legs, headache, and a peculiar itching of the skin, for months
before any distinct symptoms of insanity appeared. They attribute it all
to self-abuse, which he has admitted practicing from an early age.
"AUGUST 28th.--Is now paralyzed in both lower limbs. Still violent.
"SEPT. 3d.--Died this morning about 1 A.M. Is so emaciated that he is
little more than skin and bones. _Rigor mortis_ entirely absent. Shortly
after death the skin of the whole body changed to a dark chocolate hue."
Truth is often stranger than fiction. What end more terrible than this!
_CHAPTER IV._