I have no records of any specific circumstances until 1865.  In that year, the matter was taken more seriously when a reputable doctor of psychiatry had procured a copy of what he believed to be a genuine example of the legendary book.

Perhaps I should rephrase that.

In that year, the matter was taken more seriously after the suicide of a reputable doctor of psychiatry who had procured a copy of what he believed to be a genuine example of the legendary book.

He did not destroy the book but rather wrapped it in a handwritten parchment stating that the matter must be well researched, by "only those of strong minds and solid souls."  A hardy officer present at the scene cursed the ignorance of the deceased doctor and flipped through the pages of the simple book, reading every word to himself.  Those present waited with great anticipation for his reaction, then laughed through their embarrassment when he tossed the tattered pages to an associate, announcing, "See?  I still stand with my full faculties about.  And you that know me would hardly classify me as a man of strong mind or solid soul!"  Surprisingly, and thankfully, everyone hid the fact that they were still too afraid to read what the pages had to say.  The book was swiftly handed over to one of the deceased doctor's colleagues and the matter dropped, until two days later when the hardy officer, smelling of whiskey, was found hanging from the rafters of his small residence.

Now, they knew they had a problem.