Aged twenty-six, from Balcomb in Sussex, admitted 14th February 1822.
This young man had been twice before confined in this hospital; the
last time he was admitted on the 19th of October 1820, and discharged,
well, on the 22d February 1821.
Since his recent admission he has very frequently relapsed when nearly
well, and on no occasion continued tranquil longer than for three
weeks or a month. The approach of a fresh attack is discovered from
his laughing heartily at every frivolous occurrence; more especially
at any thing mischievous. So long as the fit continues, which is
generally from one to three or four weeks, his frenzy is very high,
and his conduct very bad; he insults all persons he comes near,
indiscriminately, and his language is horribly blasphemous, insulting
(as poor Captain Lloyd tells him) to the great God of heaven.
His expressions in this state are too dreadful to repeat, and his oaths
and imprecations terrible beyond conception.
When in this way, the unfortunate man becomes dirty and slovenly. He
wears his hat with the crown torn out, and the brim uppermost. On
those occasions his disease is at the worst, and, while the paroxysm
continues, his notions are wild and incoherent to excess. He believes
one man to be God, another to be the devil. Some he believes to be
angels; others horses, dogs, bears, tigers, porcupines, &c. &c. One
man he takes to be his father; another the king; and, in short, every
person, and thing, assumes, in his fancy, some character, quality, or
appearance totally wide of the reality.
But when the poor fellow’s frenzy is abated, and something like calm
reflexion returns, it is impossible for penitence to express more
sorrow and shame for what he has said or done; as, most unfortunately
for his own mind, he remembers all that has passed in his delirium.
In consequence he becomes depressed and melancholy, and sometimes
continues so until another fit comes on.
Latterly he became extremely anxious for a trial at home with his
friends; and, at the insistence of his father, a month’s leave of
absence was granted him, on the 7th November 1822.
He was formerly servant to a gentleman near Cuckfield, in Sussex; and
while on a visit to Devonshire with his master, at the beginning of
the year, the first symptoms of his derangement appeared. He wrapped
himself up in all the great-coats he could find, and set off on a
ramble, he knew not whither. He sometimes ordered dinner at an inn, and
drank a bottle of wine, without a farthing in his pocket. Sometimes
he went into a field where labourers were at work, and, watching his
opportunity, seized and carried off their provisions. At other times
he would enter a farm-house, and seating himself demand whatever he
chose. On one occasion he took possession of a cottage, got his dinner,
took a nap afterwards, and then demanded his supper. The poor terrified
hostess, who was alone at his entrance, became much alarmed; but had
courage enough to remain until her husband returned from his work, in
the evening, when he found poor George sitting very comfortably by
the fire, after his supper, and very leisurely preparing for bed, his
smallclothes knees unbuttoned, neckerchief and coat off, stockings
down, and shoes slip-shod. The husband, who was a powerful young man,
naturally enough inquired of his wife the quality and character of
his strange guest, and learned from her all that had passed. But the
gruff Hodge, not altogether approving such an inmate, lost no time in
preparing for his exclusion; and by virtue of an ejectment, in the
shape of a stout cudgel, put in so many pleas upon the shoulders,
ribs, and other appurtenances of poor George, that without waiting
for replications, rejoinders, or rebutters, he vacated the premises,
leaving behind him his hat, coat, and one shoe, and scampered off at
full speed to save his life.
He was recognized as a madman at various times and places, but the
parishes through which he passed did not choose to assume the burthen
of his maintenance, and so transferred him from one to another, until
he reached his home, where he refitted his damages by another coat,
hat, and shoe; and sallying forth from his native cottage in quest of
new adventures, he proceeded to a farm-house, and filled himself with
such good things as he could get.
This poor fellow’s malady evinces little or no hope of a perfect
recovery through life. The faculty of memory, in recollecting every
thing which passes in his fits of frenzy, is very remarkable, and is a
source of much affliction to his mind at lucid intervals.