Essay on the Classification of the Insane — John Shaqi
Essay on the Classification of the InsaneAllen, M. (Physician)
Science
Essay on the Classification of the Insane
Allen, M. (Physician)
Mental illness
I daily see ideots and imbeciles taught to walk arm in arm; evidently
pleased and gratified that they have objects for their blind affections
to rest upon. Besides this, it is a very singular and remarkable fact,
that this exercise of their affections, has contributed to the
improvement of their physical state. Whatever increases innocent
enjoyment, and contributes to happiness, are excellent medicines. Peace
and purity of mind are better than physic. This exercise of their blind
affections conduces alike to their felicity, and to the preservation of
their health, by innocently keeping alive the regular and happy exercise
of their animal spirits, by the only outlet they possess, that of their
blind and instinctive affections; and hence, it is very remarkable, that
in consequence of their animal spirits being no longer pent up, as was
formerly the case, they are not now so liable to those sudden bursts and
irregular displays of passion, to which they had been the victims; and
what is still more remarkable, they are in better health, and not so
liable to cramps and colics, which had been the corresponding physical
effects of their irregular nervous distribution; so that even with them
the truth is evident, that it is not good to be alone; the little world
they live in is better suited to amuse and contribute to their happiness,
than the quietude of civilized life, from which they could receive no
enjoyment, and to which they could only give pain.
It is also worthy of remark, that some patients sink more rapidly into
moping idiotcy when kept in a state of perfect seclusion, than they even
do in the society of those who are insane like themselves.
I have seen patients who had not been accustomed to any association, who
were, on their first arrival, in appearance, manners, behaviour,
especially in their mode of eating, and their dirty habits, scarcely
human; it was evident from all this, that they had long been unaccustomed
to the common conveniences and decencies of life, as well as from the
astonishment and delight they first exhibit, on these things being
restored to them;—to see companions, and to find a table with the usual
appendages of knives and forks, &c. evidently excited pleasing
reminiscences and gave them additional life,—their improvement
(externally, at any rate) was rapid, and, by continued attention, their
restoration to habits of cleanliness complete.
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