Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1891 — What’s in a Name? [ARTICLE]

What’s in a Name?

The physician in charge of an insane asylum in Ohio preseribed a large dose of castor oil for one of the Inmates, a man of great strength and wild, unmanageable temper. The attendant who had been commissioned to administer the nauseous dose foresaw that he was likely to find the task more or less difficult, and therefore took with him several assistants. On reaching the lunatic’s cell, the attendant put on a matter-of-fact air, and, cup in hand, stepped inside the door. The madman divined his purpose instantly, and rushed furiously upon him. The assistants were too quick for him, however, and, after a severe struggle, threw him down and attempted to pinion his arms. The man fought like a tiger, but found himself overmatched. Suddenly he became perfectly quiet, and, putting his hand to his mouth, said in a whisper to the chief attendant, “Call it oysters.” The attendant was a man of great natural shrewdness—as dealers with the insane need to be —and at once understood the lunatic’s meaning. Directing the wondering assistants to release the patient, he took the cup from the shelf on which it had been set, approached the crazy man, and said in a tone of ceremonious politeness: “Good-morning, Mr. Smith; will you try this dish of very tine oysters?” The lunatic .smiled pleasantly, returned the bow with one still lower, and answered: “Thank you very much; you. are very kind.” So saying, he took the cup and drained it with every appearance of the deepest satisfaction. “Ah,” said he, as ho finished the dose and smacked hislips, “those are, indeed, fine—the flnesti oysters I have ever tasted.” He had saved his self-respect and had taught his keepers an excellent lesson in their own line.