TABLE OF CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION.

Important aphorism of Hippocrates in reference to the early treatment of disease-Mar-

shall Hall on the neglect of premonitory symptoms of disease of the brain-General

neglect of incipient cerebral symptoms-Attention paid to the early symptoms of dis-

ease in other organs-Cases illustrating the neglect of incipient symptoms-Insidious

character of disease of the brain-Obscure cerebral symptoms-All affections of the

brain have an incipient stage-Latent disease of the brain-Diseases of the brain

subject to general pathological laws-Neglected affections of the brain-Cases of al-

terations of structure of the brain-Physiology of the brain-Necessity of watching

for incipient cerebral disease-Early treatment of insanity-Unwillingness to recog-

nize the existence of insanity-Importance of early treatment,
17-31

CHAPTER II.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF INTELLIGENCE.

All physical alterations of the brain modify its psychical functions-Effect of cerebral dis-

ease on the mind-Emotional exaltation and excitement-Irresistible impulse to

suicide-Ennui not always a condition of mental inactivity-Early symptoms of

mental disorder-Disorders of the mind shown by alterations of thought and con-

duct,
32-35

CHAPTER III.

PREMONITORY SYMPTOMS OF INSANITY.

Ignorance of the nature of insanity-What is insanity?-Ignorance of the mental and

nerve force-The extent of our knowledge of the nature of mind and matter-Impos-

sibility of defining insanity-Study of metaphysics and logic-Suggestions for an im-

proved analysis of morbid mind-Laws governing the operation of thought-State of

the mind between sleeping and waking-Insanity and dreaming-Are intellectual pro-

blems solved during dreams?-Insanity a waking dream-Pascal on dreams-Poetry,

&c., composed during sleep-Rapidity of mental action in dreams-Curious case-

Resemblance of the phenomena of dreams to insanity-In dreams the mind is often

conscious of its creations-Lucid intermissions during attacks of insanity-Singular

temporary restoration to reason,

CHAPTER IV.

36-56

CONFESSIONS OF PATIENTS AFTER RECOVERING FROM INSANITY; OR THE CON-

DITION OF THE MIND WHEN IN A STATE OF ABERRATION.

The autobiography of the insane interesting and instructive-Indivisibility of mind-

Can the insane accurately describe, after recovery, their previous condition of dis-

ordered mind?-Shakspeare the only correct delineator of insanity-Former bar-

barous treatment of the insane-Pinel's efforts to ameliorate the condition of the in-

sane-Progress in the pathology and therapeutics of insanity-Symptoms of insanity

described by a lady after recovery-Morbid suggestions in the incipient stage-Cases

of incipient insanity-Case of double consciousness-Singular case of incipient insa-

nity-Illusions of hearing-Hallucinations of sight--Letters from patients after reco-

very-Confessions of the insane after recovery,

57-89

CHAPTER V.

STATE OF THE MIND WHEN RECOVERING FROM AN ATTACK OF INSANITY.

State of the mind when passing out of an insane into a sane condition-Cases illustrating

the phenomena-Doubts as to the reality of delusions among the insane-Descriptions

given by patients after recovery of their previous state of mind-Singular case of re-

covery from attacks of insanity-The Rev. Mr. Walford's account of his recovery

from an attack of mental derangement,

90-95

CHAPTER VI.

ANOMALOUS AND MASKED AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND.

Impossibility of defining insanity-Singular case of insanity-Insanity among children-

Symptoms of insanity-Undetected mental disease-Remarks by Dr. Brierre de Bois-

mont and others on the insanity of early life-Insanity in the United States of Ame-

rica-Statistics of insanity among children-Hereditary predisposition to insanity-

Incipient symptoms of insanity-Transformations of character in the early stage of

insanity-Exaggerations of natural states of mind often indicative of insanity-

Delusions-Diagnosis of insanity-Obscure disease of the brain-Latent and unrecog

nized insanity-Serious results following a non-recognition of insanity-Pseudo forms

of mental disorder-Insidious approach of insanity-Symptoms of latent insanity-

Alterations of character and disposition preceding attacks of insanity-Cases of

morbid paroxysms of passion-Temper disease-Curious case of disordered mind-

Insanity shown in acts of brutality-Concealed monomania-Moral character changed

by physical injury-Paralysis of the moral sense-Illustrations of moral idiocy-

Shakspeare's description of this affection-Latent case of monomania-Transforma-

tion of character caused by physical disease-Effects of diseased brain on the cha-

racter-Historical illustrations of diseased brain on the character-Caligula, Tibe-

rius, Catherine de Medici, Frederick William of Prussia, Robespierre, Judge Jeffreys

-Meteorological influence on the mind-Effect of chloroform on the mind-Resem-

blance of mental phenomena caused by the use of chloroform to insanity-Curious

mental phenomena caused by the absorption of poison in the blood-Singular case of

hydrophobia affecting the mind-Influence of physical irritation on the mind-Morbid

views of religion-Extraordinary organic change discovered after death in the mem-

branes of the brain-Brutality and immorality-Cases of erotic monomania-Speedy

cure of a case of insanity-Singular case of concealed insanity-Recklessness in

monetary transactions exhibited in the incipient phase of mental disorder-Case of

undetected insanity-Motiveless acts of brutality connected with latent insanity-

Homicidal insanity-The medico-legal witness-Duties of the psychological expert-

Importance of the testimony of experts in subtle cases of insanity-Popular ignorance

of insanity-Evidence in cases of alleged lunacy-Case of Atkinson, the homicidal

idiot-Danger of lunatics being at large-Decisions of juries in cases of insanity-

Serious consequences of a wrong verdict in commissions de lunatico-Anomalous de-

fective state of the law of lunacy-Justice to be tempered with mercy, 96-145

CHAPTER VII.

THE STAGE OF CONSCIOUSNESS.

Neglect of habits of self-inspection-Innate wickedness of the human heart-Mysteries

of the inner mental life-Consciousness of the approach of insanity-Foreshadowings

of insanity-Struggle between reason and insanity-Morbid apprehensions of insa-

nity-Confessions of patients--Insidious advances of morbid thought-Obscene and

immoral ideas-Singular perversion of thought-Illusions premonitory of insanity-

Phantasms and spectral illusions-Illusions of hearing (voices)-Singular case of hal-

lucination-Incubation of insanity-Efforts made to conceal insanity-Insane impu-

rity of thought-The insanity of Ophelia-Indecent remarks of young women whilst

insane-Explanation of the causes of perverted thought-Sources of early moral de-

terioration-Purity of thought sometimes exhibited by the insane-Power of con-

trolling insane ideas-Symptoms of incipient insanity-Morbid presentiment of in-

sanity-Prediction of attacks of apoplexy-Sir W. Scott's anticipation of brain

disease-Dean Swift's presentiment of his approaching imbecility-Morbid anticipa-

tion of insanity, .

146-165

Psychical exaltation-State of mind premonitory of insanity-Morbid exaggeration of

ideas-Emotional exaltation-Suicidal delirium connected with great exaltation of

spirits Wit, ingenuity, and cunning of the insane-Mental acuteness of the insane-

Poetical enthusiasm in mania-Mental abilities of the insane-Symptoms of insanity

in young women-Peculiar type of mental disease-Self-control and shrewdness of

the insane-Art of analyzing subtle cases of insanity-Feigned insanity unmasked by

chloroform-Concealment of delusions by the insane-Subtle case of homicidal in-

sanity-Cunning, cleverness, and subtlety of the insane-Acute instinctive, manifes-

tations of the insane-Subtlety of the insane metaphysically explained-Symptoms

of insanity-The physical agitation of incipient insanity-Tortures of a wicked con-

science-Happy type of insanity-Horace's description of the happy madman-Pre-

monitory signs of apoplexy-Disease of the brain caused by a blow upon the head--

Insidious symptoms of general paralysis-Obscure case of general paralysis, 166-187

CHAPTER IX.

STAGE OF MENTAL DEPRESSION.

Acute morbid melancholy-Symptoms of brain disease-Concealed delusions-Subtle

types of suicidal insanity-Melancholia a symptom of softening of the brain-Apo-

plexy preceded by depression of spirits,
188-189

CHAPTER X.

STAGE OF ABERRATION.

Obscure progress of aberration of mind-Exaggeration and perversion of ideas-Disorder

of the perceptive faculties-Delusions, how they originate-Illusions premonitory of

apoplexy-Illusions of hearing-Illusions premonitory of disease of the brain-Sin.

gular case of spectral illusions-Perversions of the moral sense-Insane pilfering and

concealing-Insanity manifested by avarice and licentiousness-Insanity exhibited by

acts of immorality-Softening of the brain,
190-205

CHAPTER XI.

IMPAIRMENT OF MIND.

Insidious advances of mental imbecility-Symptoms of softening of the brain and apo-

plexy-Subtle case of softening of the brain-Singular case of cerebral paralysis-

Lesions of intelligence preceding disease of the brain-Impaired nutrition of the

brain,.
206-210

CHAPTER XII.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF ATTENTION.

Importance of the faculty of attention-Genius a continued attention-Impairment of at-

tention-Morbid distraction and reverie-Injurious effects of protracted reverie-Re-

semblance of reverie to dreaming-Morbid imaginative contemplation-Hypochon-

driasis-Morbid concentration of attention-On the importance of controlling the

imagination-Weakness of attention a symptom of cerebral disorder-Morbid effect

of concentrated attention-Defect of speech-Impairment of attention-Morbid dis-

traction a symptom of brain disease-Case of morbid distraction; post-mortem exa-

mination of the brain-The cerebral disease of Oscar, King of Sweden, exhibiting

itself in the early stage by distraction of mind, .

211-226

CHAPTER XIII.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF MEMORY.

What is memory?—The natural classification of ideas-Cause of decay of memory in old

age-Mode of acquiring knowledge-Theory of memory-Loss of memory in apoplexy

-Laws regulating the admission of ideas into the mind,

CHAPTER XIV.

ACUTE DISORDERS OF THE MEMORY.

227-232

Decay of memory in old age-Retention of early impressions in old age-Premature im-

pairment of memory-Loss of memory in advanced life-The poet Rogers' loss of

memory-Importance of preserving the memory-Impairment of memory a symptom

of brain disease-Loss of memory a symptom of paralysis and softening of the brain-

Sudden and transient loss of memory-Symptoms of mental disorder-Case of soften-

ing of the brain-Causes of impaired and paralyzed memory-Sir H. Holland's case

of temporary loss of memory-Effect of stimulants in restoring the memory-Treat-

ment of cases of loss of memory--Disease of brain indicated by loss of memory-Case

of sudden loss of memory-Enfeebled memory caused by mental anxiety-Successful

treatment of a case of loss of memory-Loss of memory caused by blows upon the

head-Singular case of forgetfulness of dates and names-Insidious case of brain

disease-Injurious effect of the hot bath in cases of cerebral disease-Confused state

of the memory-Symptoms of brain disease-Confused state of the memory a symptom

of ramollissement of the brain-Effect of mental emotion on the ideas,
233-248

CHAPTER XV.

CHRONIC AFFECTIONS OF THE MEMORY.

Forgetfulness of names previously to an attack of brain disease-Loss of language caused

by a blow on the head-Singular case of revival of a language long forgotten-Loss

of language after attacks of apoplexy, &c.-Effect of injury to the head on the memory

-Singular case of defect of memory-Loss of memory after acute bodily disease-

Effects of paralysis on the memory-Loss of certain words, &c.-Remarkable cases of

disordered memory-Effect of a bullet-wound on the memory-Impairment of memory

after epidemics-Paralysis of the memory caused by intense cold-Effect of the Rus--

sian campaign on Bonaparte's memory-Loss of memory caused by fever-Loss of

language-Singular manifestations of memory prior to death-Effect of apoplexy on

the memory-Singular loss of memory, the result of a blow upon the head-Effect of

a mental shock on the memory-Remarkable case of disordered memory-Proximate

cause of morbid memory-Singular cases of defect of memory-Cases of impairment

of memory,
249-266

CHAPTER XVI.

PERVERSION AND EXALTATION OF MEMORY-MEMORY OF THE INSANE.

Curious cases of perversion of memory-Remarkable case of double personality-Case of

double or divided consciousness-Exaltation of memory a fatal diagnostic sign-Ex-

altation of memory in brain diseases of early life-Improvement of memory in ad-

vanced life often precursory of apoplexy-Cases of exaltation of memory-Memory of

the insane-Shakspeare on the memory of the insane,
267-273

CHAPTER XVII.

PSYCHOLOGY AND PATHOLOGY OF MEMORY.

Destruction, a physical and moral impossibility-Indestructibility of mental impressions-
Effects of organic physical changes on the mind-Inexplicable psychical and physical
phenomena-Assimilative power of the blood-Nutrition of the brain-Is the mind
situated in the brain?-The subject of chemico-cerebral pathology ought to be more

investigated-Phenomena of latent mental impressions-Curious facts relative to

latent light-Indestructible character of ideas-Singular phenomena caused by hang-

ing-Mental phenomena caused by drowning-Curious phenomena manifested at

death-Morbid phenomena of language-Knowledge of languages revived by fever-

Curious phenomena observed in somnambulism and catalepsy-Laws governing the

association of ideas-Morbid and sensitive state of activity of the memory-Physical

theory of latent mental impressions-Physical impediments interfering with thought

-The brain compared to a galvanic battery-Sudden resuscitation of latent ideas-

Rapidity of mental action-Cases of loss of memory, and its sudden restoration-

Idiocy cured by blows upon the head-Connection between wit and madness-Dor-

mant nature of mental impressions-Latent ideas suddenly recalled to consciousness

-Loss of speech and consciousness-Sudden arrest of intelligence-Garrick's accurate

knowledge of insanity, how acquired-Morbid fixedness of idea,

274-303

CHAPTER XVIII.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF MOTION.

Diagnosis between cerebral and spinal paralysis-General muscular debility-Early signs
of softening of the brain-Partial loss of motor power-Incipient symptoms of apo-
plexy and paralysis-Insidious progress of brain disease-Case of brain disease without
impairment of intellect-Muscular tremors symptomatic of brain disease-Irregular
muscular action--Morbid want of muscular co-ordination-Difficulty of explaining
these phenomena-Convulsive action-Obscure types of nocturnal epilepsy-Loss of
memory in epilepsy-Diagnosis of epilepsy-Premonitory symptoms of epilepsy-Affec-
tions of the tongue and muscles of the mouth-Insidious symptoms of paralysis-
Effects of softening of the brain on the motility-Morbid handwriting-Paralysis
agitans-Premonitory symptoms of paralysis agitans-Loss of sleep-Morbid affections
of the spinal cord-Acute ramollissement of the spinal cord-Peripheral paralysis,
304-321

CHAPTER XIX.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF SPEECH.

Cerebral localization of speech-Is loss of speech the result of affections of the anterior

lobes of the brain?-Loss of speech caused by cerebral paralysis-Cases of loss of

speech in general paralysis and softening of the cerebellum-Disease of the corpora

olivaria a cause of loss of speech-Morbid impairment of speech-Irregular impair-

ment of the articulation-Paralysis of ideas in incipient cerebral disease-Morbid

irregularity of speech-Forgetfulness of certain words a symptom of apoplexy-Singu-

lar misplacement of words-Cases of curious defect of articulation-Morbid articula-

tion-Loss of speech a symptom of apoplexy, congestion, and softening-Morbid mis-

use of words-Singular alterations of speech-Irregularity and impairment of speech

-Diagnostic value of affections of speech-Symptoms of acute softening-Loss of

speech caused by mental distress-Loss of speech a symptom of epilepsy and apoplexy

-Premonitory signs of paralysis-Sudden loss of speech-Successful treatment of a

case of loss of speech-Morbid speech following apoplexy-Singular case of mutism

caused by a bullet-wound-Perversion of speech the result of a wound on the head-

Case of extraordinary perversion of speech-Morbid imitative movements of articula-

tion-The "echo" symptom of softening of the brain-Involuntary articulation a

symptom of brain disease-Effect of insanity upon the voice-Singular recovery of

speech shortly before death-Alterations of voice symptomatic of insanity, 322-346

CHAPTER XX.

MORBID PHENOMENA OF SENSATION.

Exaltation of sensation-Softening of the spinal cord-Vertigo a symptom of cerebral
disease Cause of vertigo-Symptoms of epileptic vertigo-Obscure cases of epilepsy—
Diagnosis of epilepsy-Hyperæsthesia of the brain-Cephalalgia generally accompany-
ing cerebral affections-Cerebral headache-Anæsthesia a symptom of brain disease-
Incipient symptoms of apoplexy-Insensibility of the mucous membrane of the con-
junctiva in incipient disease of the brain-Sensation of cold a symptom of apoplexy-
Impairment of the sense of taste a symptom of softening-Sensation of weight and