Mental diseases: a public health problemMay, James Vance
Science
Mental diseases: a public health problem
May, James Vance
Mental health services; Psychology, Pathological
terrifying dreams, tinnitus aurium, flashes of light, difficulty of
thought, and depression. This terminated in a few days in a delirium
characterized by anxiety and visual hallucinations. Other cases showed
a more marked depression and stupor, sometimes alternating with
delirium and violent excitement, accompanied by hallucinations and
speech defects. Amaurosis and convulsions are spoken of frequently as
common symptoms. Conditions similar to general paresis have been noted
by various observers.
There have been very few contributions to medical literature on
the subject of psychoses caused by arsenic. In discussing forms of
poisoning due to that drug Edsall expressed the opinion that "marked
psychic symptoms are unusual." Casamajor makes the statement that "in
very severe cases memory disturbances have been noted, and in some the
typical Korsakow polyneuritic psychosis." According to Oppenheim a
rise of temperature associated with a delirium may be observed at the
onset of arsenical poisoning and may also occur later in the disease.
Psychoses due to arsenic were not referred to by Krafft-Ebing, Arndt,
Schüle, Ziehen or Kraepelin.
Edsall[239] mentions as the symptoms of chronic mercurial poisoning,
headache, restlessness, mental depression and weakness. Most striking
features are tremors and a peculiar emotional disturbance referred to
as "erythism." Tremors of the lips and facial muscles are common and
speech disturbance and choreiform movements have been noted. Symptoms
suggesting neurasthenia and hysteria have also been reported. Naunyn
has described excitements due to mercury characterized by anxiety and
fears with hallucinations and sleeplessness. He also speaks of manic
attacks, depressions and mental deterioration as associated conditions.
Argyria or chronic silver poisoning is said to be accompanied often by
a marked sensitiveness and occasional episodes of actual depression due
to the discoloration and pigmentation of the face.
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