$5. R. O. R. Louett.
Reporter—When did the insanity of John begin to develop itself?
Mr. Herriges—It first began to show itself when he was twenty years of age. At that time he had only temporary fits of abstraction, which grew worse from time to time, until, at the age of twenty-six, he became wholly insane, and, what is unusual in insanity, he would never eat anything unless fed like an infant. Hunger could not tempt him to eat, nor thirst to drink, any more than it could tempt the infant of three months to eat or drink without assistance.
Reporter—Why did you not attempt a cure in accordance with the usual method?
Mr. Herriges—I did. I became acquainted with Dr. R. K. Smith, who informed that a cure might be effected, and in accordance with his suggestions, I sent him to the insane department of the almshouse as the following will testify.
Mr. Herriges here produced a paper on which the following was written:
“Philadelphia Almshouse.
June 23, 1870.
“This is to certify that John B. Herriges was admitted to the insane department of this institution on the 21st day of December 1855, aged twenty-seven years, born in Philadelphia, single, and by occupation a tobacconist, and taken out on liberty and did not return.
“From the register in agent’s office.
“Attest,
Alfred D. W. Caldwell,
House Agent.