The Eighth Census of the United States Volume 1; Population, Manufactures, Agriculture, Statistics, Including Mortality, Property, Etc. in 1860 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ...peculiarity of the insane which renders their detention easy. They form no very intimate alliances. They have not the element of cohesion. They do not confide one in another. Cabals cannot be created. Conspiracies can have no existence. Plots, if involving more than one person, cannot be matured. A disposition of general distrust, and the fact that, as a rule, each insane person perceives the insanity of his fellow-patients, though, for the most part, oblivious of his own, sufficiently account for this peculiarity. But of all the prevalent errors in regard to the insane, there is none other fraught with such deleterious consecpiences, as the impression that they are most easily governed by deception. It is truly marvellous to one accustomed to their treatment, to perceive how almost universal is the practice, the moment a person loses the healthy use of his mental faculties, for his friends or guardians to resort to falsehood in word and falsehood in action, to lying and all kinds of deception, in the attempt to manage him. How truthful soever men may be toward others, they appear to consider themselves justified in converting themselves into everything that is false toward the insane. This course of conduct usually defeats the very object for the attainment of which it is pursued; for, as a general thing, the insane are suspicious, watchful for deceit, and not obtuse in the power of detecting it; and if it be but once perceived by them, all confidence in the person who has practiced it is lost. There will be no further listening to his counsel, no further submission to his wishes, unless he frankly acknowledges his error, promises amendment, and faithfully adheres to that promise. The dislike and even hatred of the nearest relatives and the dearest friends...