ODD CURE FOR INSANITY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1628, 1 September 1887, Page 4

ODD CURE FOR INSANITY.

An American scientific paper has the following:—An interesting instance of fighting insanity by insanity has recently been noticed among the Blackwell's Island patients. Two lunatics had been received who were disposed to commit suicide. In addition each possessed a special delusion, one to the effect that ho waS t a cow, the other that his head was an iron ball, and was to be rolled along the floor. They carried these beliefs into acting, one butting his head against the padded walis of his cell, the other rolling his head, and of course has body with it, a'iong the floor. The two patients were placed together and each was privately informed of the other's weakness and warned to watch his companion to prevent him taking his own life. Thus each had a charge in the other. Their vigilance was unceasing. Each supposed himself perfectly sane, aud this belief was accompanied by considerable scorn for the other's weakness of intellect and accompanying delusions. Gradually under the influence of this treatment the patients were observed to improve To have their attention centred on definite duty aud on objects external to themselves proved a tonic for their diseased minds, and gradually a complete cure was affected, and they received their discharges from the asylum.