In certain forms of neurasthenia, the 'phobias' are common, but must not be regarded as evidence of insanity. 'Agoraphobia' is the fear of crossing an open space, 'batophobia' is the fear that high things will fall, 'siderophobia' is the fear of thunder and lightning, 'pathophobia' is the fear of disease, whilst 'pantophobia' is the fear of everything and everybody. =Epilepsy in Relation to Insanity.=--The subjects of this disease are often subject to sudden fits of uncontrollable passion; their conduct is sometimes brutal, ferocious, and often very immoral. As the fits increase in number, the intellect deteriorates and chronic dementia or delusional insanity may supervene. (1) Before a fit the patient may develop paroxysms of rage with brutal impulses (_preparoxysmal insanity_), and may commit crimes such as rape or murder. (2) Instead of the usual epileptic fit, the patient may have a violent maniacal attack (_masked epilepsy_, _epileptic equivalent_, _psychic form of epilepsy_). (3) After the fit the patient may perform various automatic actions (_post-epileptic automatism_) of which he has no subsequent recollection. Thus the patient may urinate or undress in a public place, and may be arrested for indecent exposure. Epileptics who suffer from both petit and grand mal attacks are specially liable to maniacal attacks. Such insanity differs from ordinary insanity in its sudden onset, intensity of symptoms, short duration and abrupt ending. To establish a plea of epilepsy in cases of crime, one must show that the individual really did suffer from true epilepsy, and that the crime was committed at a period having a definite relation to the epileptic seizure. =Alcoholic Insanity.=--This may occur in three forms: 1. _Acute Alcoholic Delirium_ (_mania a potu_), due to excessive amount of alcohol consumed. 2. _Delirium Tremens_, due to long-continued over-drinking. The patient suffers from horrible dreams, illusions, and suspicions, which may lead him to attack people or commit suicide. 3. _Chronic Alcoholic Insanity._ Loss of memory is the chief symptom, with paralysis of motion, hallucinations and delusions of persecution. =Responsibility for Criminal Acts.=--To establish a defence on the ground of insanity, it must be proved that the prisoner at the time when the crime was committed did not know the nature and quality of the act he was committing, and did not know that it was wrong. At the present time, however, the _power of controlling his actions_ is usually made the test. The plea of insanity is brought forward, as a rule, only in capital charges, so that the prisoner, if found guilty, will escape hanging. If proved 'guilty, but insane,' the person is sentenced to be kept in a criminal lunatic asylum 'during His Majesty's pleasure.' XLIV.--EXAMINATION OF PERSONS OF UNSOUND MIND