time reading and in conversation with the other patients. He was
perfectly satisfied in his surroundings, frank in his conversation
with those about him, and gradually gained more and more insight into
his condition. He still persisted, however, in his statements that
ether was poured down his back. Said he remembered this distinctly as
having taken place while confined in the dungeon. He was then,
however, inclined to think that probably they did not have it in for
him, and probably they did what they thought was best. In conversation
with him today, on June 19, four days after admission, he showed
perfectly normal behavior in every respect. Was frank in his
statements, spoke of the amnesia mentioned above, and no delusions or
hallucinatory experiences or physical symptoms present on admission
could be detected.
When finally confronted with the picture sent from the War Department
for his identification he showed some degree of emotional reaction,
stated that the picture was his, but persistently denied ever having
been a recruit in the army. On the whole, he took the matter rather
lightly and good-naturedly.
The history of this attack illustrates a typical case of hysterical
psychosis. The marked stupor and confusion, the numerous and varied
neurological symptoms, the sensory disturbances, especially the profound
anæsthesia to pin pricks, the amnesia and rapid recovery after change of
environment, all point to this diagnosis. It is a form of reaction
frequently seen in prisoners, and has been designated, for want of a
better term, as prison psychosis. At any rate, there can be no doubt as
to the genuineness of the symptoms presented by the patient.
If we keep in mind that such a type of psychotic reaction is the result
of the mutual interaction between an unstable, highly vulnerable psyche
and an unfavorable environmental situation--in this instance prison
environment--we understand the more readily the later history of this
case.
On July 16, 1912, he was discharged recovered and turned over to the
naval authorities to be returned to prison. Soon after his return to
prison he was noted to be melancholy, uncommunicative, was not
interested in condition of self or surroundings, had unsystematized
delusions of persecution. Physically he was noted to be anæmic, showed
general tremors when undergoing examination, reflexes were exaggerated,
positive Romberg was present. The physician who accompanied patient to
the Government Hospital for the Insane on his second admission stated
that on the trip from Portsmouth Prison M. tried to assault a waiter in
a restaurant in Boston, accusing the latter of following him. To the
physician he said, while on the train, "Take your d---- eyes off me, or
I'll brain you."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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