"M. C., admitted into this Hospital, Sept. 30, 1853, in a state of
violent raging excitement, depending upon acute mania. She had been in
this state three days previous to her admission, and had wandered
about the streets in a comparatively naked state, under the excitement
of religious enthusiasm. She was a powerful, muscular woman; and to
bring her to the Hospital it was necessary to impose upon her the
restraint of a strait-jacket. She screamed violently all the way to
the Hospital, and used the most threatening language, refusing to
listen to anything that was said to her, but when tired of
vociferating, contented herself with kicking and spitting at those
within her reach. On admission, the mechanical restraint was removed;
she was ordered a warm bath, and two grains of the acetate of morphia,
and afterwards placed in a bed in a padded room. She continued noisy
for an hour or two, and then became quieter; but the attendant, who
looked at her every half-hour, always found her sleepless. The
following day she continued tranquil, but when addressed, responded
with an oath. She was ordered one grain and a half of acetate of
morphia. The third day she continued quiet and sullen, but permitted
the nurse to dress her and place her in a chair in the day-room with
the other patients. The following day (the fourth) she continued
tranquil and rational, rather shrinking from conversation; and being a
little feverish, was ordered 'henbane,' with a saline. From that day
she speedily became convalescent, and was discharged cured, November
11, 1853, having been a patient in the Hospital forty-two days."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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