Asylum"; read before the Governors of the New York
Hospital on the 4th of Fourth-month, 1815. By Thomas Eddy, one of the
Asylum Committee. New York, 1815. Reprinted Bloomingdale Hospital Press,
1916.]

[Footnote 24: The following anecdotes illustrate the observation before
made, that maniacs frequently retain the power of reasoning to a certain
extent; and that the discerning physician may oftimes successfully avail
himself of the remains of this faculty in controlling the aberrations of
his patient:--A patient in the Pennsylvania Hospital, who called his
physician his father, once lifted his hand to strike him. "What!" said
his physician, (Dr. Rush), with a plaintive tone of voice, "Strike your
father?" The madman dropped his arm, and instantly showed marks of
contrition for his conduct. The following was related to me by Samuel
Coates, President of the Pennsylvania Hospital:--maniac had made several
attempts to set fire to the Hospital: upon being remonstrated with, he
said, "I am a salamander"; "but recollect," said my friend Coates, "all
the patients in the house are not salamanders;" "That is true," said the
maniac, and never afterwards attempted to set fire to the Hospital.]

APPENDIX IV

EXTRACTS FROM THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS IN RELATION TO
ACTION TAKEN RESPECTING THOS. EDDY'S COMMUNICATION DATED APRIL, 1815

_April 4, 1815._

A communication was received from Thos. Eddy suggesting several
improvements in the mode of treating Insane persons, which is referred
to Dr. Hugh Williamson, George Newbold, William Johnson, Peter A. Jay,
and John R. Murray--Resolved that the Treasurer have fifty copies of the
report printed for use of the Governors.

_July 3, 1815._

The Committee on the communication from Thos. Eddy, relative to the
treatment of Insane patients, report attention to the subject and that
in their opinion it is advisable to have a few acres of land purchased
in the vicinity of the City for the better accommodation of this unhappy
class of our fellow creatures--the Committee are continued.

On motion Resolved that Thomas Eddy, John A. Murray, and John Aspinwall,
be a Committee to look out for a suitable spot of land, and to make a
purchase, if in their opinion it shall become necessary.

_8th Month (August) 1st, 1815._

The Committee on the communication from Thomas Eddy, made the following
Report, which was intended to have been laid before the last meeting of
the Board