Aged thirty, admitted 1st November 1821. This unfortunate gentleman’s
case was extremely distressing and lamentable, and is a melancholy
instance of the dangerous and alarming pitch of delusion to which the
human imagination is liable under a state of derangement.
Mr. Traile had been a Lieutenant in the 95th, or rifle regiment of
foot. He had served during the late war, in Spain, and other parts
of the Continent: and from the account of his friends, had always
conducted himself with honour and reputation as a gentleman and an
officer. At the peace he retired on half-pay; but some time afterwards
his mind was engloomed, partly by religious enthusiasm, and partly
by imaginary apprehensions, and he became deranged. He was affected
by a bitter sense of remorse for ideal crimes, a horror of death,
and a perpetual suspicion that every person about him intended to
assassinate or poison him. For a long time he took his food with the
greatest caution, his suspicions of poison still increasing. Afterwards
he would obstinately refuse the provisions assigned for himself, but
exchange them for those given to other patients; and would take none
offered him by his keeper. By degrees he got still worse, and at last
would receive neither meat nor drink, in any shape, or from any
person whatever, to preserve his existence. All means were tried to
dissipate his apprehensions, and induce him to take nourishment, but
in vain. At last recourse to the elastic bottle and tube were found
absolutely necessary to keep him alive. This bottle was formed of India
rubber, with an elastic leathern pipe attached, about twenty inches
long. The bottle was filled with rich broth, to which eggs beaten up
and some wine were added. The pipe was passed up his nostril, through
the palate of his mouth, by which means the nutriment was conveyed
to his stomach; and this operation was performed daily for some
time, by Surgeon Lawrence, in the presence of Dr. Wright the medical
superintendant: both gentlemen treated him with the greatest possible
tenderness and humanity. He felt this mode of nutrition with so much
abhorrence, that clysters of the like ingredients were adopted; but the
horrors of his mind had such an effect on his habit, that although his
physical health was sustained his derangement got worse. The horrors
of death still rendered him despondent and miserable. He sought every
opportunity of getting to the windows, and would cry out in a loud
voice: “Neighbours, neighbours! Save me, save me! Help, help!--I am
going to be murdered!--Is there no good creature left in the world to
save an unfortunate young man from the most cruel death? Oh, merciful
God! oh, just heaven, avert the impending and dreadful doom of the most
unfortunate of human beings!”
Previously to the use of the elastic bottle, he was repeatedly
intreated, in the kindest and most indulgent manner, to take of himself
the refreshments prepared for him, and avoid the disagreeable operation
otherwise indispensable. But he answered invariably that “he could not,
as from a sense of religious duty he could not voluntarily receive
poison; but if it was forced on him, he would not be answerable for his
own death.” Dr. Wright would say to him: “Dear Traile, you shall now
see me eat some of it; and surely if it was poison, as you suppose, you
cannot imagine I would take it.” But he would answer; “Oh, Dr. Wright,
how easy it is for you to obtain an antidote, or any of you: but as to
me, miserable wretch! I have not the means.”
When the pipe was partly down the passage to his stomach, and perhaps
the pain great, he would give his honour that he would take the whole
of the nutriment of his own accord. But the moment the pipe was
withdrawn he would relapse into his previous refusal, pleading his
religious scruples. It was then, of course, given to him in the usual
way.
In this state he continued for some time, and every means were used
to sustain life, in the hope of abating his disease; until Sunday the
31st of March 1822, when he was again calling loudly at the window:
“Neighbours, neighbours! save me, save me!” &c. &c.; and became so
refractory that his keeper locked him up in his own room. In about half
an hour the keeper, perceiving he was quiet, went to release him; but
alas! found him dead, suspended by his neck-kerchief to the wire-guard
over his bed-room door. This he accomplished by standing upon two
wooden night-bowls; and fastening the corner of his neck-kerchief
through the wire-guard in a very curious manner, fixed the other round
his neck, and by kicking from under him the bowls, he hung with his
feet just touching the floor, as he was found. But the vital spark had
too long fled to warrant any hopes of resuscitation; and thus this poor
gentleman effected with his own hands the fate he so long dreaded with
the greatest horror.
He was a young gentleman well brought-up and accomplished, and
maintained the manners and deportment of such even in his derangement.
He was most respectably connected, and his father was an old Major in
the army. He was generally under restraint when out of the keeper’s
sight, to prevent any mischief, until the day of this unfortunate
occurrence: and he must have had great resolution and perseverance
in his purpose, for in his waistcoat pocket was found a part of the
handkerchief, which was evidently torn off in his attempt, and a rent
appeared in another part of the wire where it had been tied before he
succeeded.
A coroner’s inquest was held on the body, who pronounced a verdict of
insanity.
The wire-guards over the doors have been since removed all through the
establishment, and wooden fronts substituted, with a perforation at
top, to allow free circulation of the air in the rooms, and obviate all
future chance of a similar fatality.