Another possibility is, what we term today, Post-traumatic Stress Syndrome. Even those not directly engaged in terrible experiences get help for that now. Consider how much worse the sights, sounds, and smells were then. I believe the only thing that kept many from "going off the deep end" was their religious faith and family support. LLN ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Shroeder" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Tuesday, July 06, 2004 12:03 PM Subject: Re: VA-ROOTS Digest - 4 Jul 2004 to 5 Jul 2004 (#2004-139) > Several thoughts come to mind: perhaps he had a stroke; became > alcoholic, dementia, any number of things could have happened, but I > know that people were considered insane back then for things that we = > now wouldn't think much of. > - - - - - - - - - - - - > Those many who contracted dysentary during the Civil War and who never got > over it often suffered from a prolonged mineral imbalance which made them appear > to be mad and they were treated accordingly. I have read this in Civil War > pension claim files. Today, it would be a simple case of replacing lost > electolytes. > > To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at > http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html