The new inmate at the mental hospital announced in a loud voice
that he was the famous British naval hero, Lord Nelson. This
was particularly interesting, because the institution already
had a "Lord Nelson " patient.
The head psychiatrist, after due consideration, decided to put
the two men in the same room, feeling that the similarity of
their delusions might prompt an adjustment in each that would
help in curing them. It was a calculated risk, of course, for
the two men might react violently to one another, but they were
introduced and then left alone and no disturbance was heard
from the room that night.
The next morning, the doctor had a talk with his new patient
and was more than pleasantly surprised when he was told
"Doctor, I've been suffering from a delusion. I know now
for a fact that I am Not Lord Nelson."
"That's wonderful," said the doctor. "Who are you?"
Smiling coyly, the patient replied, "I know now that
I am Lady Nelson."
that he was the famous British naval hero, Lord Nelson. This
was particularly interesting, because the institution already
had a "Lord Nelson " patient.
The head psychiatrist, after due consideration, decided to put
the two men in the same room, feeling that the similarity of
their delusions might prompt an adjustment in each that would
help in curing them. It was a calculated risk, of course, for
the two men might react violently to one another, but they were
introduced and then left alone and no disturbance was heard
from the room that night.
The next morning, the doctor had a talk with his new patient
and was more than pleasantly surprised when he was told
"Doctor, I've been suffering from a delusion. I know now
for a fact that I am Not Lord Nelson."
"That's wonderful," said the doctor. "Who are you?"
Smiling coyly, the patient replied, "I know now that
I am Lady Nelson."
* This post has been modified
: 19 years ago