EXALTATION, or abnormally great mental activity (including emotions), so-called psyclampsia, manifests itself by a pleased or happy subjective state, by increased reaction to external stimuli, by unusually abundant and rapid ideation, and by a corresponding increase of somatic activity, as shown by apparent (?) excess of muscular power, of circulation, of visceral activity, and of the appetites. The entire being, in certain cases, becomes endowed with additional capacity and power. In the mental sphere this over-activity easily passes into incoherence and verbal delirium, while in the physical sphere it may translate itself into violence. Clinically, exaltation may show itself as an independent morbid state, known as mania sine delirio. It more commonly appears, with other symptoms, in the shape of ordinary mania, of delirium tremens, of dementia paralytica, etc. Exaltation often follows morbid depression, and these two states sometimes alternate for years (circular insanity). Exaltation, even when accompanied by violent muscular action, must not always be considered an evidence of increased nervous power. On the contrary, it is often a result of irritable weakness, and as such indicates a tonic and restorative medication. ILLUSIONS.—By illusion is meant the result of malinterpretation of an external impression by disordered sensorial or cerebral apparatuses. All of the special senses and the common sensory nerves may be the {21} media of illusions, but they more commonly manifest themselves in the visual and auditory spheres. A few examples will best illustrate the exact meaning of the term. An insane person mistakes a casual visitor for his brother or father: he fancies that a piece of furniture is a flowering shrub or a threatening animal; another patient will declare that the food in his mouth tastes of a particular poison; still another, having pains in the night, solemnly avers that he has been beaten or cut, etc. A real impression is made upon the centres for vision, taste, and common sensation, but it is wrongly interpreted or appreciated. The exact mechanism of illusions escapes our present means of analysis: the peripheral apparatus or the perceptive centre may be disordered; probably, in most cases, the latter. This is borne out by the fact that in many insane the illusions are in harmony with the delusions present in the mind, and then they are nearly akin to hallucinations. The word illusion is sometimes employed as synonymous of delusion, but this is an abuse of terms to be avoided. Healthy persons are subject to illusions, but the error is quickly corrected by more careful observation by the same sense, or by the use of others. The state of intoxication by cannabis indica (hasheesh) presents numberless illusions of all the senses, together with hallucinations.