2. When alcohol is changed in the economy, it antagonizes the normal process of oxidation, and becomes, not a respiratory food, but an anti-calorific and a conservator of fat. Hence it has taken a useful place as a means of checking abnormal waste. It may be employed profitably, to some extent no doubt, in that class of diseases in which the persistent waste of tissue is a prominent factor. From this quality it derives its chief value as a remedy in the continued fevers. For the purpose of reducing temperature, it must be given in large or poisonous doses if at all; consequently it would appear that its use in this direction should be limited to those cases in which the necessity is urgent and imperative. And finally, it has been used, with alleged beneficent results, in retarding the plastic and adhesive processes of inflammation. But in all cases whatsoever, when exhibited, let it be remembered that while doing good, it is ever liable in some insidious way to do harm. So that while expecting under its use to find new growth, we may find instead only suppuration and decay; while attempting to check rapid waste, we may have only brought on the cheesy and fatty change, and while fancying that we have found an elixir vitæ to rob death of its pangs, and to smooth over the traces of time and age, we may have been only carelessly invoking the baleful sorceries of the Demon of Dissolution!

ESSAY.

THE INSANE COLONY AT GHEEL.

BY A. M. SHEW, M.D.

How to provide for the indigent insane in the best manner consistent with their own welfare, the safety of the community, and with due regard to economy, is a problem that has puzzled municipalities, states, and nations. In the olden time, when all deranged persons were believed to be possessed by devils or evil spirits, the Christian conscience was apparently lulled into restfulness respecting their deplorable condition by the hopelessness of any contest with His Satanic Majesty. On no other supposition can we account for the apathy existing among civilized nations, and the cruel, yea, barbarous provision made for this afflicted class up to the close of the last century. We of a later generation can hardly credit the official records of those dark ages of lunacy. Recall, for a moment, the history of old Bedlam, more recently known as Bethle hem Hospital, where for nearly five hundred years the insane were kept chained in dungeons, scourged by cruel keepers selected for the office from among the worst criminals who were serving life sentences in the public jails; and visited only once a year by a physician for the purpose of bleeding and purging. The same facts existed respecting other receptacles for the insane until, at the close of the last century, through the labors of Pinel in France and the Society of Friends in England, more enlightened views respecting the nature of insanity began to prevail, and as a result, more humane methods of treatment.

As an exception to what has been said, there existed at Gheel, Belgium, a colony of the insane dating back to the seventh century. Having its origin in romance and superstition, it developed into a great system of governmental care of two thousand of the quiet.

chronic insane. At a distance of twenty-seven miles from Antwerp, in a southeasterly direction, lies a tract of low country origi-nally barren, desolate, and unproductive, which by draining, cultivation, and fertilization during eleven hundred years, has become productive, thickly populated, and somewhat attractive. Here we find ten thousand Belgian peasants occupying a territory twelve miles square, engaged in agriculture, the manufacture of lace, and the care of the insane. Before describing this unique colony as it appeared in the summer of 1878, permit me to refer briefly to its legendary development.

Sometime during the seventh century a beautiful Irish maiden, named Dympna, was beloved in an unholy manner by her own father. Being of a chaste and religious temperament, she was so shocked at the unnatural manifestation of sensual passion in her own parent, that she resolved to escape from his power by speedy flight. Having obtained the assistance and companionship of a reverend Father named Geburnus, she sought for a place of safety in a secluded part of Belgium. Here, away from the world, she could partially atone for her father's unholy devices by devoting her life to good deeds and religious meditation.

These were, however, soon disturbed by her wicked father, who, "incited by the devil," found his daughter and caused her to be beheaded. In dying she became a Saint, and has since devoted herself to the restoration of those who are mentally afflicted. The legendary story also informs us that Geburnus soon died and was buried beside the martyred girl. Hither came the insane from far and near, to be healed by the influence of the blessed Saint Dympna. A chapel was erected, and subsequently a church two hundred and fifty feet in length. The case containing the stones of the coffin of Saint Dympna is placed near one extremity of the church. The stone floor in the immediate vicinity is perceptibly worn away by those who have made intercessions to the Saint. Some ancient oaken tablets in carving, suspended upon the walls, represent important scenes in the life of the Saint-such as her birth; refusing incest with her father; ministering to sick people, etc., etc.

It was formerly the custom to present all newly arrived patients, and the ceremonies performed were as follows: There was a relig ious offering lasting nine days, during which the patient was kept in a house near the church in the charge of two old women. A priest said mass daily and read prayers. Three times during the

nine days it was necessary to make a circuit of the church, and to pass under the case enclosing the Saint's coffin. The procession was made up of the patient or patients, some children and religious devotees. While this was taking place the relatives remain in the church praying to the Saint to effect a restoration.

Such is the history of Gheel in its actual and legendary aspects. Whether the want of success has lessened the ardor and faith of those who believed in the beneficent influence of Saint Dympna, or whether more enlightened views respecting the nature of insanity have prevailed, it is evidently the fact that only a few of those who are sent to Gheel at the present day are subjected to any ceremony at the church of Saint Amaus.

New arrivals are now taken to the asylum and kept under the observation of the Medical Officer and Sisters of Charity until satisfied respecting their mental condition. This period varies from a few days to several weeks. The asylum or hospital is not large, but is well arranged, furnished, and attended. Neatness and cleanliness were manifest everywhere. Only eight patients were occupying the buildings at the date of our visit in July. One hundred can be accommodated. The rule is to send them out to families of the commune as soon as practicable.

The village of Gheel, like all Belgian towns, is substantially built of brick and stone, having narrow, paved streets. A small hotel near the public square furnishes accommodations to the few visitors who chance to find their way to this peculiar place. The arrival of the diligence daily is an event of sufficient importance to collect a small crowd. At other hours the streets seem deserted, and nothing occurs to disturb the silence of the place. We found a few small shops at which wooden shoes, pipes and tobacco, and small trinkets could be purchased. Our entrance did not even disturb the slumbers of the would-be female merchant at one of these shops. At the door of one of the houses two women were at work making thread lace; and at another two imbecile boys were sitting on the ground nodding to the sun which poured down upon their unshaded heads. These and the hotel-keeper were the only people we saw in the streets of Gheel. It seemed like walking about a city of the dead, or a place depopulated by sudden pestilence.

The arrival of an American is evidently an unusual event. The landlord exclaimed, "Jesu, four Americans in one day! Monsieur, two professional countrymen, doubtless your friends, arrived