“It is a form of disease in which, perhaps more than in any other, acts which, in a rational and responsible being would be crimes, are committed. It occurs, at times, as the sequel of violent attacks of mania,—it passes into decided mania or demency,—it alternates with intellectual derangements; all which circumstances afford an adequate presumption of its being a genuine form of insanity.”[40] “Sometimes” says Professor Smith of New York, in a very excellent description of this form of insanity, “it shows itself in the abandonment of ordinary habits and pursuits; in carelessness of one’s own affairs with random indulgence in follies and gross sensualities. Sometimes it is seen in the form of ardent devotion to a succession of projects, each suddenly conceived and embraced, with, it is believed the certain prospect of rapidly amassing wealth, or advancing in honor and happiness—and each as suddenly given up in disgust. In some cases there is an uncontrollable disposition to merriment, boisterous hilarity, and sportive and mischievous conduct towards others. Occasionally the more striking phenomena are inflated pride, exquisite vanity, and contempt of ordinary things. Frequently it assumes the character of melancholy or deep gloom, attended with fondness for solitude, and forebodings of evil when all around and in prospect is inviting and joyous. A form not uncommon displays itself in an unaccountable partiality for particular persons, and a dislike of the nearest and dearest friends, with a disposition to revile and injure them. The more serious varieties are those in which there is a suicidal propensity, or a feeling of necessity to commit some dreadful crime—for example, to destroy a certain individual, perhaps a relative, as a tender and beloved child—an act, the execution of which, the reasoning power strongly opposes, and the conscience prevents by awakening the feeling of horror. These restraining forces, however, are not always sufficient to curb the strong propensity. Sometimes, as if urged irresistibly by some demoniac influence, the fatal deed is perpetrated; and instant relief from the burning passion is obtained; the homicide feels that a part of his destiny is fulfilled, and hence an emotion of satisfaction spreads over his mind. But such relief is not always durable; regret and remorse may succeed, and rankle long and deep in the soul.”[41] I will pass on now to a few remarks upon the _treatment_ of insanity.