Aged twenty-eight, admitted 12th October 1820. This was an assistant
surgeon and apothecary, from Chigwell, in Essex. His malady was of a
periodical nature; seldom well above ten or fifteen days together.
While he continued well, no man could behave better; but when ill
he was extremely wild. He was pretty generally in restraint of some
kind or other; but principally the belt and handcuffs. He delighted
in being put in restraint, and would frequently ask the keeper to put
on the belt and handcuffs; for then, as he said, “he had free liberty
to do what he pleased.” He was for ever at some mischief or other. He
got some rags, and stuffed up the hole of the stone trough, or sink,
pumped it full of water, and, with his clothes on, laid himself at
full length in it; but, being disturbed, he jumped out in a furious
passion, wrenched off the handle of the pump, and began to smash the
windows, menacing all around him. He, however, was secured before he
did any mischief, except breaking seventeen squares of glass. He was
all laughter and mimickry, accompanied at times with violence. He once
kicked a keeper, named Roberts, on the knee, in such a manner as laid
him up for a long time.
He was continually boasting about his professional business: how he
fagged, how he rode; what miracles he performed in his profession; all
day, all night, at all distances, and all the toils he went through
during the period of his practice. He performed more than any other
man, effected more miraculous cures, attended more women in child-bed,
was more successful in cases of accidents, than any man since the
days of Esculapius; and although Chigwell is but a small village, he
would have it believed that he set more limbs, healed more wounds, and
repaired more accidents than actually happen in the field of battle
between two contending armies, and attended more accouchements than
usually occur in a rabbit-warren. His probationary time of twelve
months had expired in the hospital; but, as the physicians had still
hopes of his ultimate recovery, the period was extended; regular
bleeding was resorted to, he got better every day, continued well for
some months, and was finally discharged cured, 14th March 1822, and has
remained well ever since. He was naturally a well-disposed young man,
but certainly much disordered.