INTERESTING CURE FOR INSANITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1725, 27 December 1887, Page 3

INTERESTING CURE FOR INSANITY.

/*n Interes ing instance of fighting insanity by ineaoi'y has recently been noticed amoDg tho Blackwell's Is'and patients Two lunatica had been received who wora disposed to oommit suicide. In addition eaoh posteeeed a special delusion, one to tho efL-ot that ho waa a cow, the other that his head wag an iron ball, and was to be rolled along the floor. They carried these be lief a into aotion, one striking hi's head against the padded walls of his cell, the other rolling his bead, and of course hit body <rith i*, along the floor. The two patients were placed together*, and eaoh was privately I informed of the other's weakness and 1 warned to watch his companion to prevent him taking hli own life. Thus each bad a charge In the other. Their vigilance was unceeslng. Eaoh supposed hlrostl' perfectly sane, acd this belief was accompanied by considerable scorn for the other's weakness of intellect and acoom- ; partying delusions. Gradually under the influence of this treatment the patients were observed to Improve. To have their attention centred on definite doty »bd on objects external for themsolreo proved a tonic for their diseased mind*, and gradually a complete cure wai effected, and they received their di»ch%rges from the asylum. — Scientific Atmrl:an.