An Inquiry into certain errors relative to Insanity and their consequences physical, moral and civil - Softcover
Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1820 Excerpt: ... and that many of the remedies applied by foreign physicians are infinitely more energetic than hitherto introduced into British practice. The registers of their, hospitals offer indubitable evidence of considerable success in the cure of it. From 3804 to 1813, 394 cases of epilepsy were admitted into the Bicetre, at Paris; of which 144 were cured. In La Charite, at Berlin, from 1806 to 1818, 426 epileptics were admitted; of whom 195 were discharged well. Thus we may learn, through the humanity and superior intelligence of foreigners, how greatly the condition of these unfortunates is capable of melioration. Nor can the knowledge fail to implant the painful reflection, that a vast number of our fellow countrymen, subject to this disease, have degenerated into idiots or lunatics, who might have been saved from such a calamity 2. Fatuity--the dementia of nosologists, is that condition of the intellectual faculties, which may, generally, be denominated mental alienation.--a term adopted by the celebrated Pinel, as generic, to express the common character of every species of insanity; and which, coming from such authority, has certainly conduced to error. For surely, as alienation implies a previous possession of mental intelligence, it is most unphilosophical to apply it to an idiot who has never developed any; and equally so in relation to maniacs, or melancholies, who, although insane on certain points, yet, on others, often possess a very correct judgment. Fatuity or demency, however, must not be confounded with imbecility or idiotism: it is materially different from either. The faculties of a person in demency, though perhaps alienated, are not always abolished; they are often only in abeyance; and may revert to a state of sanity, either spontaneously or f...
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