Essay on the Classification of the InsaneAllen, M. (Physician)
Science
Essay on the Classification of the Insane
Allen, M. (Physician)
Mental illness
He has a leprous eruption, which has continued since the time of his
admission until now, without any very perceptibly abatement. He was
formerly the most furious maniac amongst the old incurable cases, though
less strikingly peculiar in his appearance and manners than the one last
described. During the paroxysms of his greatest fury, he appeared like
one whose mind, from excruciating pain and dreadful mental provocation,
was wrought up to the highest pitch of passion and revenge; so that he
would, as though he had the object of his malignity before him, be
incessantly repeating, through whole nights and days, some single phrase,
such as, “damn’d dog,” with a sort of suppressed barking, roaring
furiousness, even until he foamed at the mouth, and his face was black
with passion.
He was most violent when the eruption appeared least on the external
surface. When his mind was more at ease, he would play like a little
child for whole days together, with the merest trifle, such as a piece of
string or paper. At these times, when given any thing he likes, he has
something singularly fascinating in his smile.
For this eruption, many things had been administered, without any
permanent advantage. Solution of nitric acid, about three years ago,
{152} appeared to have, for a time, a good effect; the eruption became
somewhat less, and the mind less violent: but this might arise from the
debilitating effects, rather than the radical removal of the cause of his
disease. After this, the solution of nitrate of potash, had a good
effect both on his mind and the disease of his skin, without reducing or
debilitating his system. He has lived, for this last twelve months, on
vegetable diet, and he is apparently better; but this may be a fallacious
appearance, since his vital energies appear to be sinking.
OBSERVATION VI.
It has been said, by the late Dr. Jenner, and some others, that cutaneous
disorders are common to the insane. I should think they are not very
common. {153} This is the only case that I have seen, where the two have
continued to exist together. Whether it was the original cause of his
mental malady, I have not been able to ascertain, but it is certain, it
aggravated it. That mania, in some instances, follows the disappearance
of eruptions, ulcers, and other local diseases, particularly with
females, is satisfactorily established; but in many instances, other
causes co-operate.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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