Doubly Successful.
An interesting story is told of the early career of a well-known authority on insanity.
In bis younger daya there were at the asylum to which he was attached two patients, both regarded as incurable and both having a tendency to suicide.
The incessant watching necessary to prevent either from doing away with himself was both costly and trying, when Dr J. hit upon a grand idea. " Why not set each to watch the other ? " said he.
The experiment was tried ; eacb lunatic, who, of course, thought himself perfectly sane, b.-iDg .privately warned of the other's weakness and asked to see that no harm came to him.
They were then placed together, when their vigilance w»b unceasing.
Gradually, to the surpri?e of the other doctorg, a visible improvement was observed in their mental condition, and after a while both were discharged perfectly cured. The necessity for concentrating their attention upon a definite duly, and upon objects external to themselves, had effected this wonderful result. The story spread, and in a short time the Dame and fa mo of the daring experimenter were assured.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/OW18970429.2.180.2
Bibliographic details
Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 52
Word Count
185Doubly Successful. Otago Witness, Issue 2252, 29 April 1897, Page 52
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