New Gem | No More Learning

I seemed to
wish to keep him to the point of his madness- a thing which I avoid
with the patients as I would the mouth of hell.

Word:

devil

Question:

Why does the speaker avoid "keeping patients to the point of their madness" like they would "the mouth of hell"?

Answer (optional):

The speaker avoids "keeping patients to the point of their madness" like they would "the mouth of hell" because they find it cruel and something to be avoided.