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THE COMMISSIONERS IN LUNACY.
406 cal
course with her
department. His services in the cause of sanitary improve-
ment in Calcuta
alone would have been sufficient for a reputation, and have entitled him to high public rewards, if such had been the lot of distinguished members of our profession. But it may be asked, has not Mr. Martin received a war medal? Yes-and precisely thesame medal as that worn by every officer and private soldier of the army of Ava, who may now live to receive it. And that is all! It is treatment of this kind that deprives the army and navy of its best surgeons at a time of life when their services have attained their utmost value, and it is the same unworthy treatment that at this moment prevents the best of our youths from entering those services. Will any one but inquire what would have been the recompence to an officer, such as Mr. Martin, had he entered the Indian army as an ensign? On this painful subject we could say much, hut want of space compels us to hasten the conclusion of a very remarkable narrative, and one that we feel assured will not be without its uses to the public services, and to the
profession generally. Mr. M irtin’s family is one of the largest; eight sons forming the major portion of it; but it has never occurred to the subject of our memoir to bring up any of his sons to his own profession. Amongst other reasons for this resolution are the following:1. Because the medical is confessedly the most difficult of all professions, and it is not therefore for the happiness of a youth to be placed in such a profession. 2. Because the amount of labour (not to speak of higher qualities) that can lead to a position of ordinary respectability in so difficult a profession as that of medicine, would lead a man
3.
to
an
eminent station in any other walk of life.
Because, that as the medical profession is
and as it. is regarded in of the question for the
Eocietv, honorary
of generality To
now
constituted,
distinctions
the most
are
out
distinguished
physicians and surgeons. money, some may attain, but the great majority do not attain even to that. The readers of the preceding narrative have been gratified by the biography of a gentleman whose career has been no common one. By extensive labours, having for their object
-
family interdicted. In confirmation of tbisstatement,
I need only quote (from a letter addressed to myself, and a copy of which is in the possession of the Commissioners), the words of the highest medical authority in cases of this nature. Speaking of a late interview with the patient, he expresses himself thus :" I am decidedly of opinion that, in her present state of mind, a removal from the asylum to the house of some kind relative or friend would be highly advantageous to her. The additional circumstance of her being pregnant, weighing, as it does, upon her mind, and rendering her apprehensive of the probable influence of her present residence and companions on her infant, makes the idea of her remaining in a lunatic asylum to be confined, shocking to the imagination, seeing that there appears no shadow of necessity for such a cruel fate being imposed upon her. She is conscious of everything about her,-sensitive, delicate, and refined ; and in every point of view, but especially in relation to the circumstance of her advanced pregnancy, has a sacred claim, first on her husband, or, in default of his interference, then on the Commissioners in Lunacy, or other authorities empowered to set patients at liberty:’-This letter bears date March 22, 1852. I think, sir, you will agree with me, that collectively, and as public functionaries. men will act, and sanction measures, which, as private individuals, they would contemn; and this leads me, in conciusion, to venture a few observations on what I cannot but consider to be culpable remissness in the exercise of their vocation. In consequence of endeavours made by a member of the family for the liberation of this unfortunate victim, legal proceedings were instituted against her ; and though the Commissioners were in possession of the full details of the case, to which their especial attention had been called early in November, 1851, and frequently and urgently solicited since, it was not until the 19th of February last, when a court of law threatened exposure, that they deemed it expedient to depute their army medical officer For the furtherance of justice, the to visit the asylum ! alleged lunatic was brought by writ of habeas corplis to give evidence at the trial. The judge who presided examined her upon the points of her pretended delusions, and utterly failed in eliciting anything approaching to mental aberration, and even expressed a hope that the public attention might be drawn to her case, and rendered beneficial to it. This was subsequently corroborated in a letter written by counsel to the commissioners. The provincial journals, which gave a very false and imperfect report of the proceedings, yet bore testimony to the clear and more than ordinarily intelligent manner in which this lady ac-
the welfare of populous nations and vast territories-labours which have had the good fortune of being crowned with contemporary success, Mr. Martin won an Asian reputation while he was still young. In a clime where all the operations of Nature, of commerce, of legislation, of peace, and of war, are conducted on the grandest scale; in the scenes of the splendid herself. In consideration of the evidence adduced at the trial, and the triumphs of Clive, Hastings, and Wellesley; and amidst a people used to the spectacle of oriental success, he attracted to strong conviction of her sanity felt by all present, a number of himself an attention and influence never exceeded by any gentlemen, including members of the medical, legal, and clerical member of the profession of medicine. His talents and exer- professions, adopted the resolution of making a further appeal to tions have proved eminently serviceable to the public of Hin- the Commissioners, in the form of a petition, signed by themdostan, to his brethren of the medical department of India, i selves, which I had the honour, in company with two others of to the physicians and surgeons of our naval and military the deputation, of presenting to the Board-one of these being the services throughout all time, and to him is attributable one of solicitor to the defendant, to whom, on that account, incredible as the earliest impulses to the great sanitary movement now it may appear, they refused admission to their presence! Even making itself beneficently felt in every nook and corner of the to this earnest prayer they have turned a deaf ear. The unhappy Empire. Coming amongst us at an age which is generally lady, who belongs to a family untainted by any hereditary tenconsidered fatal to success in London practice, he has, never- dency to mania, was under my own roof only six weeks previous theless, taken a high standing among the profession of this to her incarceration, in the full enjoyment of society, and withgreat metropolis. In him, too, there are met that rare com- out any symptom bordering on mental hallucination ; and, from bination of qualities, which equally fit the possessor for the the testimony of friends who visited her subsequently, remained duties of public office or the amenities of private circles. Of in an equally sane state to the very hour of her removal! Mr. Martin it may be said, that in whatever conjuncture of Surely, sir, there must be something radically wrong for all this affairs he may be placed, either in military or civil life, the to take place in the enlightened age of the nineteenth century, science and dignity of his profession will be alike maintained. when, as the unfortunate patient has herself remarked—"if my case and present position were fully known, the country would rise in arms for my release." But notwithstanding, such are the THE COMMISSIONERS IN LUNACY. facts, every tittle of which I can substantiate ; and, for aught I I know to the contrary, the pangs of labour, nay, even of death, To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—I had always considered that it was the duty of the may at this hour be upon her! I write as a professional man; Commissioners in Lunacy to prevent persons from being un- and I challenge the Commissioners in Lunacy, even at this late period of her imprisonment, to summon the patient before their justly detained in lunatic asylums; yet it happens that for five Board, for examination by any six or eight medical men, to months I have been vainly pleading with them personally, and by letter, in behalfofa deeply injured relative, who has been prove that she is a fit or proper subject for detention in a cruelly incarcerated in a private asylum, by the authority of her MAD-HOUSE! The vital importance of this case must, and will,I hope, plead husband ; and though my table is covered with official letters, excuse for trespassing thus largely on your valuable space; my of Board this honourable them mere from (all for- hut let emanating me entreat you to exert your powerful influence in assistobtain at their unable to hands efficient I am still any malities), redress of the grievance whereof I complain. Meanwhile, sir, ing my feeble efforts to secure justice and liberty for improperly this unhappy lady, torn from her dear children, pining away in confined alleged I matics. I ren ain, Sir, your obedifnt Servant, spirits, and gradually sinking in health and mental energy (solely JUSTITIA, AND A SUBSCRIBER OF TEN YEARS. the effects of her imprisonment), writing the most sensible letters (when not intercepted), imploring her release—and, would it be THE CHOLERA IN PERSIA.—It is stated in the credited!—actually in a state of facr advanced pregnancy,-is to this hour left the associate of maniacs ! and all freedom of interpapers, that the cholera has broken out in Persia.
quitted
French
course with her
department. His services in the cause of sanitary improve-
ment in Calcuta
alone would have been sufficient for a reputation, and have entitled him to high public rewards, if such had been the lot of distinguished members of our profession. But it may be asked, has not Mr. Martin received a war medal? Yes-and precisely thesame medal as that worn by every officer and private soldier of the army of Ava, who may now live to receive it. And that is all! It is treatment of this kind that deprives the army and navy of its best surgeons at a time of life when their services have attained their utmost value, and it is the same unworthy treatment that at this moment prevents the best of our youths from entering those services. Will any one but inquire what would have been the recompence to an officer, such as Mr. Martin, had he entered the Indian army as an ensign? On this painful subject we could say much, hut want of space compels us to hasten the conclusion of a very remarkable narrative, and one that we feel assured will not be without its uses to the public services, and to the
profession generally. Mr. M irtin’s family is one of the largest; eight sons forming the major portion of it; but it has never occurred to the subject of our memoir to bring up any of his sons to his own profession. Amongst other reasons for this resolution are the following:1. Because the medical is confessedly the most difficult of all professions, and it is not therefore for the happiness of a youth to be placed in such a profession. 2. Because the amount of labour (not to speak of higher qualities) that can lead to a position of ordinary respectability in so difficult a profession as that of medicine, would lead a man
3.
to
an
eminent station in any other walk of life.
Because, that as the medical profession is
and as it. is regarded in of the question for the
Eocietv, honorary
of generality To
now
constituted,
distinctions
the most
are
out
distinguished
physicians and surgeons. money, some may attain, but the great majority do not attain even to that. The readers of the preceding narrative have been gratified by the biography of a gentleman whose career has been no common one. By extensive labours, having for their object
-
family interdicted. In confirmation of tbisstatement,
I need only quote (from a letter addressed to myself, and a copy of which is in the possession of the Commissioners), the words of the highest medical authority in cases of this nature. Speaking of a late interview with the patient, he expresses himself thus :" I am decidedly of opinion that, in her present state of mind, a removal from the asylum to the house of some kind relative or friend would be highly advantageous to her. The additional circumstance of her being pregnant, weighing, as it does, upon her mind, and rendering her apprehensive of the probable influence of her present residence and companions on her infant, makes the idea of her remaining in a lunatic asylum to be confined, shocking to the imagination, seeing that there appears no shadow of necessity for such a cruel fate being imposed upon her. She is conscious of everything about her,-sensitive, delicate, and refined ; and in every point of view, but especially in relation to the circumstance of her advanced pregnancy, has a sacred claim, first on her husband, or, in default of his interference, then on the Commissioners in Lunacy, or other authorities empowered to set patients at liberty:’-This letter bears date March 22, 1852. I think, sir, you will agree with me, that collectively, and as public functionaries. men will act, and sanction measures, which, as private individuals, they would contemn; and this leads me, in conciusion, to venture a few observations on what I cannot but consider to be culpable remissness in the exercise of their vocation. In consequence of endeavours made by a member of the family for the liberation of this unfortunate victim, legal proceedings were instituted against her ; and though the Commissioners were in possession of the full details of the case, to which their especial attention had been called early in November, 1851, and frequently and urgently solicited since, it was not until the 19th of February last, when a court of law threatened exposure, that they deemed it expedient to depute their army medical officer For the furtherance of justice, the to visit the asylum ! alleged lunatic was brought by writ of habeas corplis to give evidence at the trial. The judge who presided examined her upon the points of her pretended delusions, and utterly failed in eliciting anything approaching to mental aberration, and even expressed a hope that the public attention might be drawn to her case, and rendered beneficial to it. This was subsequently corroborated in a letter written by counsel to the commissioners. The provincial journals, which gave a very false and imperfect report of the proceedings, yet bore testimony to the clear and more than ordinarily intelligent manner in which this lady ac-
the welfare of populous nations and vast territories-labours which have had the good fortune of being crowned with contemporary success, Mr. Martin won an Asian reputation while he was still young. In a clime where all the operations of Nature, of commerce, of legislation, of peace, and of war, are conducted on the grandest scale; in the scenes of the splendid herself. In consideration of the evidence adduced at the trial, and the triumphs of Clive, Hastings, and Wellesley; and amidst a people used to the spectacle of oriental success, he attracted to strong conviction of her sanity felt by all present, a number of himself an attention and influence never exceeded by any gentlemen, including members of the medical, legal, and clerical member of the profession of medicine. His talents and exer- professions, adopted the resolution of making a further appeal to tions have proved eminently serviceable to the public of Hin- the Commissioners, in the form of a petition, signed by themdostan, to his brethren of the medical department of India, i selves, which I had the honour, in company with two others of to the physicians and surgeons of our naval and military the deputation, of presenting to the Board-one of these being the services throughout all time, and to him is attributable one of solicitor to the defendant, to whom, on that account, incredible as the earliest impulses to the great sanitary movement now it may appear, they refused admission to their presence! Even making itself beneficently felt in every nook and corner of the to this earnest prayer they have turned a deaf ear. The unhappy Empire. Coming amongst us at an age which is generally lady, who belongs to a family untainted by any hereditary tenconsidered fatal to success in London practice, he has, never- dency to mania, was under my own roof only six weeks previous theless, taken a high standing among the profession of this to her incarceration, in the full enjoyment of society, and withgreat metropolis. In him, too, there are met that rare com- out any symptom bordering on mental hallucination ; and, from bination of qualities, which equally fit the possessor for the the testimony of friends who visited her subsequently, remained duties of public office or the amenities of private circles. Of in an equally sane state to the very hour of her removal! Mr. Martin it may be said, that in whatever conjuncture of Surely, sir, there must be something radically wrong for all this affairs he may be placed, either in military or civil life, the to take place in the enlightened age of the nineteenth century, science and dignity of his profession will be alike maintained. when, as the unfortunate patient has herself remarked—"if my case and present position were fully known, the country would rise in arms for my release." But notwithstanding, such are the THE COMMISSIONERS IN LUNACY. facts, every tittle of which I can substantiate ; and, for aught I I know to the contrary, the pangs of labour, nay, even of death, To the Editor of THE LANCET. SIR,—I had always considered that it was the duty of the may at this hour be upon her! I write as a professional man; Commissioners in Lunacy to prevent persons from being un- and I challenge the Commissioners in Lunacy, even at this late period of her imprisonment, to summon the patient before their justly detained in lunatic asylums; yet it happens that for five Board, for examination by any six or eight medical men, to months I have been vainly pleading with them personally, and by letter, in behalfofa deeply injured relative, who has been prove that she is a fit or proper subject for detention in a cruelly incarcerated in a private asylum, by the authority of her MAD-HOUSE! The vital importance of this case must, and will,I hope, plead husband ; and though my table is covered with official letters, excuse for trespassing thus largely on your valuable space; my of Board this honourable them mere from (all for- hut let emanating me entreat you to exert your powerful influence in assistobtain at their unable to hands efficient I am still any malities), redress of the grievance whereof I complain. Meanwhile, sir, ing my feeble efforts to secure justice and liberty for improperly this unhappy lady, torn from her dear children, pining away in confined alleged I matics. I ren ain, Sir, your obedifnt Servant, spirits, and gradually sinking in health and mental energy (solely JUSTITIA, AND A SUBSCRIBER OF TEN YEARS. the effects of her imprisonment), writing the most sensible letters (when not intercepted), imploring her release—and, would it be THE CHOLERA IN PERSIA.—It is stated in the credited!—actually in a state of facr advanced pregnancy,-is to this hour left the associate of maniacs ! and all freedom of interpapers, that the cholera has broken out in Persia.
quitted
French