Essay on the Classification of the InsaneAllen, M. (Physician)
Science
Essay on the Classification of the Insane
Allen, M. (Physician)
Mental illness
About eight years ago, he continued for some time in a perfect state of
convalescence, and when the paroxysm returned, its violence and duration
appeared in proportion to the length of intermission. These paroxysms
and intervals of convalescence have since preserved the same ratio to
each other. It is remarkable that the last interval of convalescence,
commencing about five years ago, continued for more than three years,
which I attribute to the absence of causes of irritation, more delicate
and attentive treatment, and constant resources of various amusements.
During the whole of this time, he could not be persuaded to leave the
place; he said “It would not do;” that he “should soon be worse than
ever.” The name of home and his wife seemed to make him shudder; and
when asked if he should not like to go, he shook his head, turned away,
and said nothing; but he evidently painfully felt the association of old
exciting causes.
It ought, however, to be mentioned that during the whole of this time he
would frequently exhibit signs of great uneasiness and irritability,
would pace the gallery or airing court, in quick and hurried steps, and
afterwards call his attendants to play a game at whist or backgammon: at
these times he was in the habit of chewing orange-peel, which he
constantly carried in his pocket for that purpose, and afterwards he
would say his troubles were overcome. He has since had a return of his
insanity, from which he never perfectly recovered; I have since
understood that he is dead.
OBSERVATION XIX.
The most obvious remark suggested by this case is, that, like many old
cases, when once an irritable habit is established in any part of the
mind, how easily the mere association of old existing causes will
overturn the balance and introduce a relapse into the same state: no
exciting causes can have more power to do this, than the constant painful
state of mind which ill-assorted and unhappy marriages produce; and
therefore, the next most obvious remark suggested by this case, is the
evil which arises from the whole mind being ultimately disagreeably
affected by the contraction of hasty, mistaken, and ill-assorted
matrimonial connexions. As the sublime principle of rightly-constituted
and spiritual or mental marriage is involved in the consideration of such
cases; and as, from the want of a proper understanding of this principle
being duly impressed upon mankind, the evils and miseries which the
parties bring upon themselves and entail upon their offspring in the
world, are so numerous and so frightful, and so frequently the cause of
the most terrible forms of insanity, I shall, in an after part of this
work, endeavour to embody in an essay expressly on this subject, all the
arguments which I can bring forth, for the purpose of enforcing this
first, this inmost, this greatest, grandest principle involving the
happiness and well-being of the world.
_No._ 31.—_Admitted_ 1808.—_Aged_ 30.
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