The trial of Ebenezer Haskell, in lunacy, and his acquittal before Judge Brewster, in November, 1868 : together with a brief sketch of the mode of treatment of lunatics in different asylums in this country and in England, with illusrations, including a copy of Hogarth's celebrated painting of a scene in old Bedlam, in London, 1635.
- Haskell, Ebenezer.
- Date:
- 1869
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The trial of Ebenezer Haskell, in lunacy, and his acquittal before Judge Brewster, in November, 1868 : together with a brief sketch of the mode of treatment of lunatics in different asylums in this country and in England, with illusrations, including a copy of Hogarth's celebrated painting of a scene in old Bedlam, in London, 1635. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.
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![18G6, he was discharged on November 19th. He escaped a few days before—(second time same condition)—not quite as well as when he left. I saw him daily, and had fair opportunity to know his condition, his excitement continued during the whole time, and he left no better. He spoke of his children, wife and Horn, and said they had locked him up to get him out of the way and keep him from the suit he had brought. He escaped I think this time by sawing off a bar. He was an excellent mechanic. He removed screws as few mechanics couldn't do. Third admission in January 7, 1867, I saw nothing on him and took nothing from him. Mr. Haskell afterwards claimed a knife which I had in the fire proof; he did not describe it; never saw it on him. He sued me before Alderman Hutchinson, Coates near Broad. He was discharged on May 17,1867. He had escaped a few days before. Saw him daily as before, he continued excited and no better when he left. He was insane in my opinion when he left. I don't remember how he left. He escaped several times and was brought back. Discharge means simply entry on books not certified of cure. Saw no difference. [Offer to prove his con- dition in June, 1868, up to present time, objected to and overruled.] Next saw him June, 1868, found him in hospital in same condi- tion. He was still insane but did not show as much excitement as formerly, but his ideas were the same. He escaped. I saw him four or five days after at Hospital, his leg broken, he laughed about it and said it was better to be there with a broken leg than in the Asylum with a sound one. Have not seen him since until to-day. During my whole knowledge from the spring of 1866 to the fall of 1868 he was insane. Cross-examined by H. K. Warriner, counsel for Mr. Haskell. I have but one letter from him. He was put in 4th ward first time. At night in room alone. During the day in room with fifteen or twenty other persons. I think he was removed to the south wing, 2d ward. He has always been in south wing, 7th ward. We visit all the wards alike. We have different wards for dif- ferent degrees. Department indicates patient's condition to a cer- tain extent. He was put in one of the 4th wards, a medium ward. Not among the most excited, in the calmest; at other times he was put in 7th ward; on last admission he was placed there, but re- moved to 2d ward again. Alone at night but not in day time; other excitable patients around him in day time. Attendants were always expected to be in the ward with him, it was their duty. 7th ward is on first floor, light, three rooms in](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21021065_0019.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
