Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 November 1881 — How a Man Became Insane. [ARTICLE]

How a Man Became Insane.

The Hermit of the . Trqy. ;(N. Y.) Times, writes: 5 I*.l JL? t A large number of lunatics iu our asylums are the victims of their own misconduct. Almost any man can make himself a lunatic if he? puisnes the direct method. There are hundreds and perhaps thousands in this city driving themselves to 'inadness. Gambling, speculation, amfhltffl. drinking will undermine the strongest intellects. A young man ..of my acquaintance has lately been sent to Bloomingdale asylum, who was a few years ago so promising as to obtain Btalfeijjoßtant appointment. He abusqd hjfe position, became suddenly a gambler; and a take as well as a defaulter. Such .a Course of vice destroyed his reason, and he is one of the incurables. I." V£ - The samg idea is advanced by Hogarth, who finished the “Flake’s Pro? gress,” by the scene in - thejhe mad? house. During the last five years large numbers have been carried to the asylum the victims of speculation. The love of pleasure and the h&stie to get rich have done a fearful work. After the intellect has been, over-driven it must sink, and perhaps remain jn homeless prostration. It may be added that the increase of insanity since toe opening of the present year is ofuHjitraHeled degree. More than 500 cases have been reported during this brief and hence it is not surprising that the asylums are more than full. The attention of the public has beeuc’alled to this subject by the press, and adpitioijal room must be provided. We must either abate that furious tntempeifapxje whifh , is driving so many to 'madness or we must double our Asylums all through the State. A Holyoke, JftrtsK.,*eYchiffigfe W the cure of D. O. Judd, Esq., U. S. Supervisor of Postal Card Manufactory, who was cured by St. Jacobs Oil of rheumatism and neuralgia.— Bridgeport Ct., Standard.