Grant that, from the state of his mind, any little increase of animation would resemble, in a slight degree, that which he now exhibits, then I am, by the help of facts, in this and some other cases of a similar nature, justified in saying, that I have been able to trace the process and progress of these changes, from small beginnings to their present state. I know, from the best information, that his manner and appearance were, when excited, so laughable and striking, that the attendants and their friends, from want of proper feeling, or perhaps mere thoughtlessness, actually made him a source of private sport and amusement, and thus increased his excited state, which, in the course of time, assumed its present peculiar and amusing form. {141} A minute detail of all these things, together with unnecessary and injudicious confinement, I am certain, would prove all this. In many cases, and especially in the last, I have been able to trace, as I have already said, the process and progress of these changes, from small beginnings to their present state. In some cases, any little increase of animation gave rise to manners and conversation, which were extremely amusing, and such as tempted silly and unthinking people, as well as the other patients, to encourage by listening or assenting too much to them, or to exasperate by wantonly making them a source of sport and amusement; conduct which cannot be too strongly deprecated, especially during the critical period of their convalescence.