Page:The Harveian oration 1866.djvu/38

 infirmary, and lived some months longer; but never became conscious even of his deliverance.

Three unhappy Prussians who had been chained for many years, nobody knew why, and who were habitually calm and inoffensive, resisted violently the removal of their chains, and would not leave their cell, apparently suspecting that some worse mischief was intended.

Perhaps the most interesting of all was a French soldier, famous for his enormous strength, who had been fastened to the wall with a chain and iron collar for ten years. Pinel perceived that his excitement was kept up only by ill usage, and on liberating him, at once engaged him to assist in releasing others, and promised, if he behaved well, to take him into his own service. The cure was completed on the instant. From that moment the man became a model of good conduct and gratitude. During the reign of terror he several times saved the life of Pinel, and the rest of his days were spent in one continuous act of devotion to his benefactor.

In the course of a few days fifty-three of the poor creatures were liberated from their fetters; and then tranquillity came over the place, which