Editing Joseph Merrick (section)

== London Hospital ==
[[File:Image-Fredericktreves.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|[[Sir Frederick Treves, 1st Baronet|Frederick Treves]] (pictured in 1884) was Merrick's close friend and doctor.]]
With Merrick admitted into the hospital, Treves now had time to conduct a more thorough examination. He discovered that Merrick's physical condition had deteriorated over the previous two years and that he had become impaired by his deformities. Treves also suspected that Merrick had a heart condition and had only a few years left to live.<ref name=Howell94 /> Merrick's general health improved over the next five months under the care of the hospital staff. Although some nurses were initially upset by his appearance, they were able to overcome this and take care of him.<ref name=Howell95 />

The problem of Merrick's unpleasant odour was mitigated through frequent bathing, and Treves gradually developed an understanding of his speech. A new set of photographs was taken. Francis Carr Gomm, the chairman of the hospital committee, had supported Treves in his decision to admit Merrick, but it was clear by November that long-term care plans were needed. The London Hospital was not equipped or staffed to provide care for the incurable, which Merrick clearly was.<ref name=Howell95 />

Carr Gomm contacted other institutions and hospitals more suited to caring for chronic cases, but none would accept Merrick. Gomm wrote a letter to ''[[The Times]]'', printed on 4&nbsp;December 1886, outlining Merrick's case and asking readers for suggestions.<ref name=Howell93 /> The public response—in letters and donations—was significant, and the situation was even covered by the ''[[British Medical Journal]]''.<ref name=BMJDec86 /> With the financial backing of the many donors, Gomm was able to make a convincing case to the committee for keeping Merrick in the hospital. It was decided that he would be allowed to stay there for the remainder of his life.<ref name=Howell99 /> He was moved from the attic to the basement, where he could occupy two rooms adjacent to a small courtyard. The rooms were adapted and furnished to suit Merrick, with a specially constructed bed and—at Treves's instruction—no mirrors.<ref name=Howell100 />

Merrick settled into his new life at the London Hospital. Treves visited him daily and spent a couple of hours with him every Sunday.<ref name=Howell102 /> Now that Merrick had found someone who understood his speech, he was delighted to carry on long conversations with the doctor.<ref name=Howell102 /> Treves and Merrick built a friendly relationship, although Merrick never completely confided in him. He told Treves that he was an only child, and Treves had the impression that his mother, whose picture Merrick always carried with him, had abandoned him as a baby.<ref name=Howell102 /> Merrick was also reluctant to talk about his exhibition days, although he expressed gratitude towards his former managers.<ref name=Howell103 /> It did not take Treves long to realise that, contrary to his initial impressions, Merrick was not intellectually impaired.<ref name=Howell102 />

[[File:merrick-letter.jpg|thumb|The only surviving letter written by Merrick]]
Treves observed that Merrick was very sensitive and showed his emotions easily.<ref name=Howell104 /> At times, Merrick was bored and lonely, and demonstrated signs of depression.<ref name=Howell106 /> He had spent his entire adult life segregated from women, first in the workhouse and then as an exhibit. The women he met were either disgusted or frightened by his appearance.<ref name=Howell105 /> His opinions about women were derived from his memories of his mother and what he read in books. Treves decided that Merrick would like to be introduced to a woman and it would help him feel normal.<ref name=Howell107 /> The doctor arranged for a friend of his named Mrs. Leila Maturin, "a young and pretty widow", to visit Merrick.<ref name=Treves /> She agreed and with fair warning about his appearance, she went to his rooms for an introduction. The meeting was short, as Merrick quickly became overcome with emotion.<ref name=Howell107 /> He later told Treves that Maturin had been the first woman ever to smile at him, and the first to shake his hand.<ref name=Treves /> She kept in contact with him and a letter written by Merrick to her, thanking her for the gift of a book and a brace of [[grouse]], is the only surviving letter written by Merrick.<ref name=Howell145 /> This first experience of meeting a woman, though brief, instilled in Merrick a new sense of self-confidence.<ref name=Howell108 /> He met other women during his life at the hospital, and appeared taken with them all. Treves believed that Merrick's hope was to one day live at an institution for the blind, where he might meet a woman who could not see his deformities.<ref name=Howell108 />

Merrick wanted to know about the "real world", and questioned Treves on a number of topics. On one occasion, he expressed a desire to see inside what he considered a "real" house and Treves obliged, taking him to visit his [[Wimpole Street]] townhouse and meet his wife.<ref name=Howell114 /> At the hospital, Merrick spent his days reading and constructing models of buildings out of card. He entertained visits from Treves and his house surgeons. He rose each day in the afternoon and would leave his rooms to walk in the small adjacent courtyard, after dark.

[[File:merrick-church.jpg|thumb|Merrick built a card church as a replica of [[Mainz Cathedral]].]]
As a result of Carr Gomm's letters to ''The Times'', Merrick's case attracted the notice of London's high society. One person who took a keen interest was actress [[Madge Kendal]].<ref name=Howell109 /> Although she probably never met him in person, she was responsible for raising funds and public sympathy for Merrick.<ref name=Howell111 /> She sent him photographs of herself and employed a basket weaver to go to his rooms and teach him the craft.<ref name=Howell112 /> Other people of high society did visit him, however, bringing gifts of photographs and books. He reciprocated with letters and handmade gifts of card models and baskets. Merrick enjoyed these visits and became confident enough to converse with people who passed his windows.<ref name=Howell113 /> A young man, Charles Taylor, the son of the engineer responsible for modifying Merrick's rooms, spent time with him, sometimes playing the violin.<ref name=Howell111 /> Occasionally, Merrick grew bold enough to leave his small living quarters and explore the hospital. When discovered, he was always hurried back to his quarters by the nurses, who feared he might frighten the patients.<ref name=Howell113 />

On 21 May 1887, two new buildings were completed at the hospital and the [[Edward VII|Prince]] and [[Alexandra of Denmark|Princess of Wales]] came to open them officially.<ref name=Howell115 /> The princess wished to meet Merrick, so after a tour of the hospital, the royal party went to his rooms for an introduction. Princess Alexandra shook Merrick's hand and sat with him, an experience that left him overjoyed.<ref name=Howell116 /> She gave him a signed photograph of herself, which became a prized possession, and she sent him a [[Christmas card]] each year.<ref name=Treves />

On at least one occasion, Merrick was able to fulfill a long-held desire to visit the theatre.<ref name=Howell119 /> Treves, with the help of Madge Kendal, arranged for him to attend the Christmas [[pantomime]] at the [[Theatre Royal, Drury Lane]]. Merrick sat with some nurses, concealed in [[Lady Burdett-Coutts]]' private box.<ref name=Howell120 /> According to Treves, Merrick was "awed" and "enthralled", and "[the] spectacle left him speechless, so that if he were spoken to he took no heed."<ref name=Treves /> Merrick talked about the pantomime for weeks afterwards, reliving the story as if it had been real.<ref name=Howell126 />