Essay on the Classification of the InsaneAllen, M. (Physician)
Science
Essay on the Classification of the Insane
Allen, M. (Physician)
Mental illness
He was induced to work with willingness, by being brought to believe he
had the contrivance, management, and superintendance, of some
improvements in the place; such as some alterations in the garden, and
especially that of making a new road from one house to another, which now
bears his name. It was observed, that after a hard day’s work,
especially if he had profusely perspired, he had a more sound night’s
sleep, and awoke somewhat improved in the morning; it is, however, to be
remarked, that all this time he continued to have a regular system of
medical treatment, which consisted in small repeated bleedings with
leeches, averaging about three times in the fortnight, with purgatives,
alteratives, and salines. It is impossible to conceive the delicacy that
was observed towards him. Not a word or a look was done to offend him,
let him speak or act ever so provokingly; and he was as perverse and as
provoking, as it is possible to conceive a perfect dæmon to be. His was
the exclusive excitement of anger and malignity, combined with the most
acute cunning to effect his destructive purposes. The serpent, the wolf,
the tiger, and vulture, seemed all that remained of the man. In this
state, to bring the better parts of his mind into life, was a great
difficulty. However, perseverance in this system restored him; and never
was gratitude greater, or more substantially evinced, than has been by
his conduct, and by that of his friends.
* * * * *
I can truly say, with Dr. Haslam, that “by gentleness of manner and
kindness of treatment, I have seldom failed to obtain the confidence, and
conciliate the esteem, of insane persons; and have succeeded, by these
means, in procuring from them respect and obedience;” and I am of the
same opinion with Mr. Samuel Tuke, wherein he states “that a large
majority of the instances, in which the malevolent dispositions are
peculiarly apparent, and are considered as characterising the disorder,
may readily be traced to secondary causes; arising from the peculiar
circumstances of the patient, or from the mode of management.”
It is worthy of remark, that where the patients have known the
superintendants when in a convalescent state, or in a state still capable
of estimating the kindness shown to them, they will much more readily
submit, and show much less of anger and vindictiveness, even in their
insane state. This effect will be still more striking, if they have been
in a place where a severer system is practiced, and where they have
become depraved and brutalised, by being subject to too much coercion.
Of this I shall state as much of a very interesting case as may
illustrate this great and important principle.
_No._ 395, _admitted Dec._ 3, 1829.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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