In all violent cases, there is one remark that must not be forgotten—that when it is possible, good may often be expected from violent exercise, always taking care that the patient is in a state to bear the fatigue, and still more so if he undertakes any sort of exercise with voluntary pleasure. In cases, however, sinking into marasmus,—cases which I class under those of gradual decay of mind—exercise must be undertaken at suitable seasons, and when in a proper state, and must always be gentle and moderate. Besides, though the greatest good may be expected in almost all cases from labour and exercise, properly regulated, and willingly undertaken, it is to be remarked, that while, with a great proportion of a pauper class of patients, various kinds of labour and exercise are, from their previous habits, easily adopted, and soon, by vigilant management, reduced to a regular system, and such system is of paramount importance to their health and mental restoration; yet with a higher class of patients, who had not acquired at an early period of life regular habits of industry, even the attempt to do the same thing might be altogether as difficult and injurious; and therefore though exercise is of very great importance, this should not make us overlook the necessity of not urging and compelling them to it in a way to cause irritation, unless indeed, in some extreme perverse cases, who must be forced to walk or ride rather than their health suffer from deficiency of air and exercise. What I mean is, that we must avoid doing a positive evil where the good is only probable. For though exercise is one of the most powerful means of withdrawing the determination of the nervous energy and blood from the head, and distributing them properly through the whole system, and thus combining a mental and physical power of diversion to the train of thoughts which injuriously occupy and produce a destructive fire in the mind, fatal to its existence; yet in these cases, we may produce a greater irritation by unnecessary compulsion. It is well known, that in many cases, besides the animal and angry passions being very active, pride and vanity are with many, if not the whole cause and very seat, often parts of the disease; and that when once excited, all moral means to restrain and subdue them are as futile as it would be to attempt by artificial aid to quench the fury of a burning volcano.
I have often, however, known the violent maniacal excitement very much lessened in force, and bettered in direction, by being allowed, with an attendant, to ramble, and dance, and scream about, in the secluded parts of the forest, for a whole day together, and which superseded the necessity of the straight waistcoat. [80]
When this class of patients cannot be induced to walk, they may be pleased with carriage exercise, and in cases of approaching marasmus, where much fatigue would be injurious, airings will amuse and help to invigorate their feeble system, and perhaps, retard in some degree, the progress of destruction.
Though I have incidentally been led to notice the importance of employment and amusement, as a remedial measure of great efficacy among the insane; and though I could adduce many further striking proofs of its being apparently the sole cause of cure; I feel, to do so in this place, would be to forestall and usurp a subject to which I intend (as it deserves) to devote a separate essay; yet I cannot help saying, that I have some recent cases in proof of its efficacy, that were it not that their peculiar character and employment is so striking, that to describe them, would be almost to name them, I should feel tempted to bring them forward, for the purpose of proving that, among a better class of patients, this employment must never, on any account, be made a disagreeable task, but a matter of pleasurable choice, if we mean it to have a beneficial influence. This is often very difficult; a task requiring great tact and no selfishness. I believe, considering the class of patients we have under our charge, I am justified in asserting, that there is no place where a greater number, or more pains have been taken, and greater sacrifices made, so to employ and amuse them.
Dr. Gregory used to mention the fact of a farmer, who, by giving his patients, on their first admission, convincing proofs of his undoubted strength and pugilistic pre-eminence, brought them to a state of passive obedience and non-resistance, and then made them work; and, it is said, cured them.
No doubt many would be cured by this system, and these would propagate his fame; but whether the quality and proportion of those who would be injured by such a system, were greater evils than the good which was thus effected, we have now no means of ascertaining; nor is it necessary to know this, before we venture to condemn a system so perfectly savage and quackishly indiscriminate in its practice.
Where pride and vanity, angry passions, and love of power, are active, we cannot, with impunity, force them to work against their inclination; at the same time, it is our duty to lay the axe to the root of the evil, and restrain, and if possible subdue, these inordinate passions; but what I assert, is, that these are very difficult and dangerous passions to encounter, and they are not, with this class, to be restrained and subdued by the mere authority of a tax-master. When we encounter them, it must be with great mental power and moral force; and this, even, to be exercised with effect, requires, that we first make ourselves beloved and respected by them. Oh! it is a difficult and delicate thing to preserve that spirit, in combating these provoking cases, which alone has the power to overcome and cure them.
A state of furious mania is frequently the effect of injudicious management. Of this opinion, Mr. S. Tuke says, “a striking illustration occurred in this Institution, some years ago. A patient, of rather a vindictive and self-important character, who had previously conducted himself with tolerable propriety, one day climbed up against a window, which overlooked the court where he was confined, and amused himself by contemplating the interior of the room. An attendant, who had not been long in office, perceiving his situation, ran hastily towards him, and, without preamble, drew him to the ground. The patient was highly incensed: a scuffle immediately ensued, in which he succeeded in throwing his antagonist; and had not the loud vociferations of this attendant alarmed the family, it is probable that he would have paid for his rash conduct, by the loss of his life. The furious state of the patient’s mind did not continue long; but, after this circumstance, he was more vindictive and violent.”
“In some instances, the superintendant has known furious mania temporarily induced, by the privations necessary on a relapse, after a considerable lucid interval, during which the patient had enjoyed many privileges that were incompatible with his disordered state. Here we may suggest the expediency, where it is possible, of employing such of the attendants to control the patient during his paroxysms, as had little intercourse with him in his lucid interval. Instances of furious mania have been, however, very rare; but a considerable number of patients have been admitted, who were reported to be so furiously insane as to require constant coercion.
“The evidence of attendants, who have been employed, previously to the admission of patients into the retreat, is not considered a sufficient reason for any extraordinary restraint; and cases have occurred, in which persuasion and kind treatment have superseded the necessity of any coercive means.