December 12, 1910:--Patient says he is frightened and asks to go to bed; put to bed at 4 P.M.
December 22, 1910:--While nurse Miller was taking the afternoon temperatures of the several patients at the guard's desk, he was suddenly attacked by M., who began to beat Miller about the head and face, drawing blood. It was noted that M. and another prisoner had resolved themselves into a select coterie for the purpose of being loud and boisterous and disobeying the hospital rules generally. Not a day passes that some gross breach of prison discipline is not committed by them.
December 23, 1910:--M. told the nurse: "If my wife don't write pretty soon, I am going to jump off the landing and kill myself." He complained that the attendant and nurses were talking about him, and that he feels sometimes like going over and smashing some of them, adding: "I know I am a damn fool for thinking that they are fixing up against me, but I can't help it. I know I am going crazy; I wish I could kill myself, cut my throat or something." This patient is decidedly worse, easily excited, suspicious, hypersensitive, imagines persons are plotting against him. When in conversation, gesticulates with both hands, wags his head and looks wildly out of the eyes. A particular instance of his excitable temper is a startled wild look upon being awakened to have his temperature taken in the morning.
December 24, 1910:--Says he is scared of something, doesn't know what, and wants to go to bed. Continues to receive epilepsy tablets.
January 2, 1911:--Complains of pains through the head and acts as if frightened. His eyes have a glassy appearance and pupils are dilated. At times a suicidal mania attacks him, seemingly using all his strength to overcome it.