partment, with a view
to the greater purity and freer circulation of the air. Here the ladies
are established immediately under my care, while my assistant-physician
(whom I expect to arrive in a week's time) looks after the gentlemen on
the floor beneath. Observe, again, as we descend to this lower, or first
floor, a second door, closing all communication at night between the
two stories to every one but the assistant physician and myself. And
now that we have reached the gentleman's part of the house, and that
you have observed for yourselves the regulations of the establishment,
permit me to introduce you to a specimen of my system of treatment next.
I can exemplify it practically, by introducing you to a room fitted up,
under my own direction, for the accommodation of the most complicated
cases of nervous suffering and nervous delusion that can come under my
care."

He threw open the door of a room at one extremity of the corridor,
numbered Four. "Look in, ladies and gentlemen," he said; "and, if you
see anything remarkable, pray mention it."

The room was not very large, but it was well lit by one broad window.
Comfortably furnished as a bedroom, it was only remarkable among other
rooms of the same sort in one way. It had no fireplace. The visitors
having noticed this, were informed that the room was warmed in winter by
means of hot water; and were then invited back again into the corridor,
to make the discoveries, under professional direction, which they were
unable to make for themselves.

"A word, ladies and gentlemen," said the doctor; "literally a word, on
nervous derangement first. What is the process of treatment, when,
let us say, mental anxiety has broken you down, and you apply to your
doctor? He sees you, hears you, and gives you two prescriptions. One
is written on paper, and made up at the chemist's. The other is
administered by word of mouth, at the propitious moment when the fee is
ready; and consists in a general recommendation to you to keep your
mind easy. That excellent advice given, your doctor leaves you to spare
yourself all earthly annoyances by your own unaided efforts, until he
calls again. Here my System steps in and helps you! When _I_ see the
necessity of keeping your mind easy, I take the bull by the horns and do
it for you. I place you in a sphere of action in which the ten thousand
trifles which must, and do, irritate nervous people at home are
expressly considered and provided aga