432 Dwight’s Cases of Delirium. 
his return, he directed them to get up early the next morning, 
to assist him in making the fence. In the course of the evening 
are became delirious, and continued in this situation several 
years; when his mental powers were suddenly restored. The 
first question which he asked after the return of his reason, 
was, whether his sons had brought in the beetle and wedges. 
‘He appeared to be wholly unconscious of the time that had 
elapsed from the commencement of his delirium. His sons, 
apprehensive that any explanations might induce a return of 
his disease, simply replied that they had been unable to find 
them. He immediately arose from his bed, went into the field 
where he had been at work a number of years before, and 
found the wedges, and the rings of the beetle, where he had 
left them, the beetle itself having mouldered away. During 
his delirium, his mind had not been occupied with those sub- 
jects with which it was conversant in health. 
2. Mrs. S., an intelligent lady, belonging to a respectable 
family in the state of New York, some years ago undertook a 
piece of fine needlework. She devoted her time to it almost 
constantly for a number of days. Before she had completed 
it, she became suddenly delirious. In this state, without ex- 
periencing any material abatement of her disease, she continu- 
ed for about seven years; . when=her. eason was suddenly re- 
stored. One of the first questions which she asked after her 
reason returned, related to her needlework. It isa remark- 
able fact, that during the long continuance of her delirium she 
said nothing, so far as was recollected, about her needlework, 
nor concerning any such subjects as usually occupied her at- 
tention when in health. 
3. A lady in New England, of a respectable family, was for 
a considerable period subject to paroxysms of delirium. These 
paroxysms Came on instantaneously, and after continuing an in- 
definite time, went off as suddenly ; leaving her mind perfectly 
rational. It often happened that when she was engaged in ra- 
tional and interesting conversation, she would stop short in the 
midst of it, become in a moment entirely delirious, and com- 
‘ mence a conversation on some other subject, not having the 
remotest connexion with the previous one, nor would she ad- 
