In cases of dementia, arising apparently from continued pressure on the brain, the surface, from the general bad habit of the system, is liable to sores, boils, and ulcerations. This cannot be called a cutaneous disease; it is rather a symptom of the diseased state of the brain, than itself the cause of insanity. Glandular swellings, however, seem to have a more direct connection; but still they appear rather before, than after the alienation has taken place. In a few cases, I have noticed slight eruptions during recent paroxysms, and in two or three, immediately previous to their convalescent state. Had such appearances occurred more frequently, I should gladly have regarded them as favourable prognostics; but they might arise from strong medicines, their state of confinement, or they might be mere accidental coincidences. There are many instances of cures by accidental injuries, {154a} as well as by the accession of consumption and other physical diseases. Here I leave the question for the present, till I come to some cases, where, according to the theory of such a connection subsisting, (which I believe is the case in a few instances,) the tartarized antimonial ointment has been applied; {154b} but I confess, that there is no part of my experience in which my sanguine expectations of cure, after a certain duration of the disease, on this principle of counteraction, have been more disappointed. In the early stages of insanity, it is decidedly the most valuable principle in our practice. _No._ 9.—_Admitted_ 1793. No statement on record, that gives any satisfactory information. She was a respectable farmer’s wife, and her insanity was occasioned by her husband’s heavy losses of cattle. Her first symptom was throwing her little infant at the feet of the parish officers, saying, “there, take it.” {155} She often repeats, with a very moaning sound, and tears, “God rest thy soul, poor old mare.” She will be easily known, when I say, she is a poor, moaning, miserable looking imbecile, constantly sitting cowering in a corner, always crying for tobacco. She was one of those who were kept naked in loose straw, and hence her inclination to undress herself, her dirty habits, and her peculiar mode of sitting: indeed, formerly, throughout the house, the lowest and worst patients had no seats allowed them. _No._ 10.—_Admitted_ 1793. Nothing recorded of this case. It is said, that when young, he was severely kicked by a horse. There is now a considerable indentation just above his left ear. His mind, though extremely childish, is altogether in a torpid state, for the most part quiet and good-natured; but sometimes, when more excited, he exhibits a love of mischief, generally very childishly, but sometimes more seriously so. {156a} His temperament is phlegmatic, and he has a heavy, dull look. He has been for years employed in the garden. _No._ 11.—_Admitted_ 1793.