It is in agreement with our conviction of the importance of that which may be laid down as a maxim, that, if the mind be maintained in a state of tranquillity, the affections are more likely to be brought into a right state, the effects of functional disorder, or even disease, to subside; the mists of delusion to clear away; and the light of the understanding to resume its province. The last and most important consideration is, that this plan has induced several (especially before the letter and spirit of the law were opposed thereto) to return voluntarily on their perceiving symptoms of their returning malady. I could give, were it not that motives of delicacy forbid me, some very striking and interesting cases, illustrative of these facts and these principles, and the beneficial results which arise out of them. One of these cases, illustrative of this necessity of more delicate and intellectual treatment in certain states of mental aberration, I am advocating, I may mention. It is that of a lady who had been, upwards of seventeen years, in alternate states of excitement and depression, and in confinement all this time, whose recovery I attribute, combined with medical means, principally to such attention. _No._ 335 _was first admitted of her own accord_, _March_ 5_th_, 1826, _aged_ 56; _discharged May the_ 4_th_, 1826; _again returned of her own accord_, _June_ 30_th_, 1826 {36} This case was a most striking sample of a great number of a similar description, who are the subjects and victims of this perverse and irregular mental excitation, which become, without proper management, more confirmed cases of mania and melancholia, which continuance in this state for a sufficient time, produces disease, and disorganization of the brain, and ultimately terminates in incurable dementia, either of a partial or more general character.