No. 708.

LONDON, SATURDAY, MARCH 25, 1837. [1836-37.

LECTURES

ON

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE,NOW IN COURSE OF DELIVERY

AT THE

UNIVERSITY OF LONDON.

BY PROFESSOR A. T. THOMSON.

LECTURE XXV.

bSANITY (continued).—0«T t’w’ieties of Imental alienation. Hm’mless naania; mania- Ifuribunda. Phrenological theories of mania.

7t7e?)cAoH« ; its tendency to suicide. ille-larrcliolia attonita. Religious melancholy.

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Legal decisions on c7&deg;imes committed by me-lancholics. Post-mortem appearances inmaniacs. Fatuity. Dementia. Idiotism.Di.seases attending idiotcy and insanity.Congenital idiotism and mental alienation.Case of madness in a child. The law ofg <Mt’t!MM.t, marriage, and will-making incases of idiots. Confinemtnt of alleged luna-ticsfor interested purposes.GENTLEMEN:&mdash;At the conclusion of my

last lecture, I mentioned some instances ofmonomania. One of the most interestingcases of this kind, was related to me by alearned and eloquent friend, now a judge." A young lady was about to be mar-

ried to a gentleman, who was aecident-ally killed on the evening before the morn-ing on which the marriage was to have beensolemnized. She became deranged, andwas confined in a lunatic asylum. The

paroxym made its attack every day, at thesame time, and continued for several hours;but during the remainder of the day she ap-peared to be perfectly sane. She imaginedthat her lover descended from heaven, and,raising her in his arms, proceeded to carryher to his celestial abode; but, her corpo-real frame being too heavy for his etherialpower, he dropped her, and she fell to theground. The paroxysm always terminatedin a state of temporary insensibility."In this form of the disease there is, ap-

parently. less danger to others. than in the

mania-furibunda; out tnis IS omy apparent:during the paroxysm, they often becomedangerous, both to others and to them-selves ; and, sometimes, they are so con-

scious of this, that they warn those aboutthem, and entreat them to prevent their doinginjury to others, or to themselves. Amongstmany instances that might be cited as illus-trative of this truth, is one which occurredin the family of the celebrated Baron DEHuMBOLDT :-" The baroness, returninghome one day, met a servant, against whomshe had no cause of complaint, in the

greatest agitation; she begged to speakwith her mistress alone, threw herself uponher Imees, and entreated that she might besent out of the house. Her mistress, asto-

nished, inquired the cause, and learned,that whenever this unhappy servant m-dressed the little child which she nursed,she was struck with the whiteness of its

skin, and experienced the most irresistibledesire to tear it in pieces. She felt afraidthat she could not resist the desire, andpreferred to leave the house." This ixouxi-cidal madness, according to M. EsoutROL,is one in which &laquo; no disorder of intellectcan be discovered;" but the existence ofphysical disease is occasionally evident insuch cases. He mentions the case of aSwabian peasant, who was subject to epi-lepsy from nine years of age ; at twenty-seven the fits left him, and he then con-ceived an irresistible desire to commit mur-der, and he begged that he might be bound,so as to prevent him from perpetrating thecrime. He even sought to murder his mo-ther, but warned her, by exclaining, 11 illymother, save yourself, or I shall be obligedto murder you."A literary man, who had become melan-

choly, was much consoled by the society ofhis daughter, whom he loved very sin-cerely. One day, as she came into his apart-ment, the horrid thought suddenly enteredhis mind, that he should murder his child ;but he was so conscious of the enormity ofthe crime, that he begged her immediatelyto leave him alone. He left home to dissi-pate the idea by travelling, but always, onreturning home, it was renewed. At lengthM. WILDBERG, who details the case. put

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him on a course of purgative medicines, and ed with some seemingly groundless butrecommended him a constant change of cheer- anxious fear, which plunges the person intoful society. The effect was the most salutary, a gloomy and desponding state, and fre-and his recovery complete. Such patients are quently leads to the commission of suicide,conscious of the approach of the paroxysm, or murder. It is a more common form of

by a sensation of burning heat, with pulsa- insanity than simple mania, and generallytion within the skull: the pulse is gene- arises from mental causes, such as extreme

rally full, hard, and strong ; the tempera- study, religious fervour, love, grief, sorrow,tureof the skin is greater than natural; the and such like, operating on a habit here-bowels are costive, and tormina is often an ditarily predisposed to the disease.accompaniment of this state. Patients la- The corporeal influence of the depressingbonring under monomania are more vora- passions is a torpor in every irritable part,cious than those in mania-furibunda; but especially in the circulating and absorbingsometimes they endure hunger with great systems; thence the countenance becomespertinacity, pale and shrunk, and the extremities are cold;

According to the doctrines of phreno- the pulse is small, and there is a sense of

logy, " Mania is not a specific disease, but general languor over the whole frame.

merely an indication that the disease, what- The pulmonary vessels, from the torpidityever it may be, implicates the whole brain, of the sanguiferous system, suffer conges-and all the faculties of the mind; whilst, tion, and from this cause arises the sensa-in monomania, the morbid affection is tion of fulness, or bursting at the heart,strictly limited to one or two of the cere- which deep grief or sorrow induces. Thebral organs; and we are informed, that the respiration is slow, laborious, and inter-reason why it is so difficult to establish its rupted with sighs and sobbing, which mayexistence in a court, arises from the patient depend on the nature of the manner in

having often a great degree of controul over which the air is allowed, as it were, tohis manifestations." I cannot venture to escape from the lungs, and the necessity ofoffer you any critical opinion upon these a deep inspiration to supply the waste, andremarks, as I really confess that I do not to relieve the congestion which had takenunderstand them. I will describe to you place on the right side of the heart. In thisthe state in which the brain has been found, case grief seems to act as a directly sedativein post-mortem examinations, when the dis- power, exhausting the vitality of the sys-ease has proved fatal, after I have taken a tem, without any previous increase of vas-brief view of the remaining species of men- cular action. Now, when grief and sorrowtal alienation. are not so great as to produce this suciden

It may be thought that I treat phreno- depression, but exert a more moderate in-logy too slightingly, in passing over the ftuence, for a great length of time, so muchviews which it adopts in explaining insanity disorder both of body and mind ensues, asupon organic structure; but I would in- to originate, in a predisposed habit, that

quire to what it tends, when we are inform- species of insanity which we have nowed that the large development of an organ is before us, namely, melancholia. When thisnot essential to the effect ? Thus, Dr. takes place, the disease may be read in theSPURZHEIM informs us, that those insane by looks of the patient, although the physicianpride have the organ of self-esteem large in must not trust to this alone. The personproportion to the other organs of the mind. grows thin and emaciated, and the muscles" It does not follow," says the Doctor, weak and relaxed ; the adipose support of" that every one who has this organ large, the eyeball is greatly diminished, and themust become insane by pride, nor that every eye retires into its socket; the eyebrowsone who has this organ small, will be abso- are drawn together, and the whole coiin-

lutely exempt from such an hallucination; tenance is pale and dejected. The stomachfor very small organs may be excited by and digestive organs are greatly disordered;diseased affection, and show too great pain is felt almost as acnte as if gastritis, oractivity and deranged manifestations: ’ inflammation of the stomach, were present,Under such an admission, I again demand, and is attended with vomiting after everyto what phrenology tends in aiding our meal; but this may be readily distinguishedviews of insanity? GALL says, " I possess from gastritis, by the pulse, the state of thethe skull of a madman, who fancied him- skin, and the general expression of theself husband to six wives, in whom the countenance. The pulse is seldom quick,organ of amativeness was largely develop- the skin is generally cold, and the coun-ed ; and I have another of a woman who tenance more expressive of dejection andfancied herself pregnant of five children, in sorrow than pain, for the mind is oppressed ;whom the organ of love of offspriug was of and it is not wonderful that the wretched-extraordinary size." But he also admits, ness of life, being the only picture presentthat a woman may have this organ large, to it, the termination of melancholia shouldand take no care of her children. be suicide. In such a state, the power of

Melancholia, the next species of insanity, comparing our ideas is lost, yet the self-is that form of the disease which is attend- murderer appears to reason, and to convince

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himself of the necessity of the crime which muddy look, and seems to roll heavily onhe contemplates. He, however, looks at surrounding objects; or it gazes with atwo points only, the wretchedness of life, fixed, unmeaning stare or vacancy. Thethe dreary, unpromising, hopeless tract adnata is often as if painted of a dull purplishwhich he sees before him, and that relief red; a strong light has a transient effectfrom suffering, which the grave alone is only on the pupil. The pulse is extremelycapable of affording; thence his purpose is vacillating, slow, and feeble, and sometimestaken; he forgets every obligation he owes labours. The extremities are always cold ;to society, every duty to his Creator, and at and it is probably owing to this state thatonce plunges into suicide, to rid’himself of the urine is abundant, pale, thin, and clond-the misery of his existence. This state of less; sleep is rarely procured, and, when itmind, and the reasoning to which it leads, is present, is broken by visions and fright-are most beautifully described by two of ful dreams.the most observing of our native poets, The general mental characters which weSPENCER and BYRON :- have to look for, to detect melancholia, are" What, if some little payne the passage have, anxiety and despondency; a desire to doThat makes frayle flesh to fear the better wave ? right, but a feeling which seems to arrestIs not short payne well borne that brings long every effort at duty; a strong desire for

ease, ?

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And lays the soul to sleep in quiet grave ? ’? relief, but despair of obtaining it, and con-Sleep after toyle, port after stormy seas, sequent tzedium vit&aelig;. If suicide be notEase after warre, death after life, doth greatly committed, the same object is attempted by

please." murdering some person; and the victim,

’ * ’ selected is generally a child, or person forI would not if I could be blest; whom the melancholic lunatic has a sincereI seek no paradise but rest."

BYRON. love; the melancholic lunate has commitI saek no paradise but rest. love; and this desire either to commitsuicide or murder, is one of the most marked

The propensity to suicide is often com- distinctions between melancholia, in whichbined with the desire to commit homicide, it exists, and hypochondriasis, in which itIt is a curious but well-attested fact, also, is absent. On this account no species ofthat it is hereditary, a circumstance which, insanity requires more close and attentiveit must be admitted, seems to demonstrate watching than melancholia; and none sothat it depends on some disordered con- frequently will be brought before you, in adition of organic structure. The hereditary legal point of view. It particularly behovesnature of this propensity has been observed you to caution relatives as to the danger ofby RUSH, ESQUIROL, and, more especially, leaving such patients alone, especially whenM. FALNET, who has collected a variety of religious enthusiasm has had some share, asobservations on the subject. Another sin- an exciting cause, in the development ofgular fact respecting it is, that it prevails the disease. Religious enthusiasm, as giv-at certain seasons of the year; it is most ing birth to deep melancholy, is a commonfrequent in summer and autumn. No act cause of suicide, among certain sects in thisof suicide has occurred without being pre- country. The patient believes that he isceded by some morbid change in the habits deserted by the Almighty, and cannot beof the person. Nevertheless, the propen- forgiven ; the continued recurrence of thissity is a simple, moral perversion, and, idea, at length brings on a diseased state oftherefore, it does not strictly fall within the the brain; this is followed by despair, anddefinition of insanity.’ There is no illusion, it is the desire of relief which drives thebut a perversion of the strongest instinct of unfortunate individual to commit the crimenature, namely, self-preservation ; and this of self-destruction. In some instances,is the most striking characteristic of moral although few, he believes that he is destin-insanity. ed for eternal happiness; he cannot endureThe predisposed to melancholia are com- the delay which life presents to its accom-

monly of a dry and lean frame of body, with plishment, and yields to the urgency of thesmall and rigid muscles, not tilled up in the internal impulse. In both cases the patientsinterstices with fat; a sallow skin, or a require to be watched. But nothing iscomplexion of a brownish yellow hue, with more common, in such instances, than thelittle or no red in the cheek ; stiff black advice of the physician to be superseded byhair; hollow eyes, and large veins, particu- some meddling, injudicious friend, andlarly in the hands and arms; and a constant suicide to terminate the life of the melan-expression of dejection. As the disease cholic.advances, these signs increase; the patients A few years since I was consulted re-are subject to impressions of fear and des- specting the health of an unmarried lady,pondency ; and the stomach and digestive who was residing with her mother. I foundorgans become depraved. Occasionally that she was labouring under an attack ofthere is much flatulence, and almost always melancholia, connected with mistaken reli-the bowels are torpid. When the disease gious impressions, which led her to form ais fully formed, the pupils of the eye are most erroneous opinion of her own conduct,often dilated, and the organ itself has a dull, and to regard life as a scene of misery and

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discomfort, from which she would gladly as it might appear invidious to repeat, wereescape. I mentioned to her mother the ab- they not related by herself, and by hersolute necessity of watching, constantly, greatest admirers. She tells us that, in theevery action of her daughter, and cautioned fervour of her devotion, she not only becameher against permitting her to sleep in a insensible to everything around her, butroom by herself. The old lady combated that her body was often lifted up from themy opinions, and considered that the reli- earth, although she endeavoured to resistgious feelings of her daughter were a com- the motion; and Bishop YEPEZ relates in

plete safeguard against any attempt of the particular, that when she was going to re-

description which I had ventured to hint, ceive the eucharist at Anila, she was rais-might possibly occur. One morning, about ed, in a rapture, higher than the grate,a week after this conversation, on making through which, as is usual in nunneries, itmy visit, I was struck on seeing the shutters was presented to her. She often heard theof the windows closed, indicating a death voice of GoD when she was recovered fromin the house ; and I learned that my patient a trance, but sometimes the devil, by imita- ,

had, in the night, hung herself on the bed- tion, endeavoured to deceive her; yet sheframe, and was found dead in the morning. was always able to detect the fraud. SheThe poor mother acknowledged, when it frequently saw St. PETER and St. Yaut.was too late, that she had been misled by standing on her left hand, whilst our LORDan enthusiastic friend, who had first given presented himself before her eyes in such aher daughter the religious fervour which manner, that it was impossible for her tohad thus unfortunately terminated in her think it was the devil : yet, in obedience todestruction. the Church, and by the advice of her confes-Amongst the variety of forms in which sor, she insulted the vision, as she had been

melancholia displays itself, one particularly used to do the evil spirits, by crossing her-demands your attention, namely, that va- self, and making signs of scorn. Once,riety which SAUVAGES terms melancholia when she held iu her hand the cross whichattonita. The patient preserves an immove- was at the end of her beads, our LORD tookable posture, which he never alters, unless it from her, and when he restored it, sheforced. " If he be seated, he never rises saw it composed of four large gems, in-

up; if standing, he does not sit down; if comparably more precious than diamonds.lying, he never gets up. Neither does he These had his five wounds engraved onmove his feet, except they be pushed aside them, after a most curious manner; and heby a bystander. He does not shun the pre- told her that she should always see thatsence of men. If asked a question he does same appearance : and so she did; for, fromnot answer, and yet he appears to under- that time she no longer saw the matter fromstand what is said. He pays no attention which the cross was made, but only theseto objects of sight or touch, but seems im- precious stones, although no one saw themmured in profound thought. If food be but herself. Whenever devils appeared toput into his mouth he will eat, and if liquids her in hideous forms, she soon made thembe presented he will drink. There is, gene- keep their distance, by sprinkling the

rally, present some idea of being cast ott or ground with holy water. She had often thecondemned by the Deity." happiness of seeing souls freed from pur-Another curious form of it sometimes gatory, and carried up to heaven ; but she

occurs, in which the hallucinations assume never saw more than three which escapedthat form which, in the age of superstition, the purifying flame, and these were, F.

passed for inspirations from the Deity, and PETER, of Alcantara, F. INAYEZ, and a Car-which, among the multitude, are occasion- melite Friar."ally regarded as such. This is woll illus- It is curious, yet most humiliating, totrated III the life of St. TERESA, as detailed see a person of this description, amiablein BUTLER’S Lives of the Saints. and respectable as St. TERESA, deceived," Her frame was naturally delicate, her and, with the best intentions, deceiving

imagination lively, and her mind, incapable others. In this instance we can readilyof being fixed by trivial objects, turned with account for the delusion, from the delicacyavidity to those which religion offered, the and weakness of her frame, the strength ofmoment they were presented to her view. a disturbed imagination, and the prevalenceBut unfortunately meeting with the writ- of superstition. But when we see men ofings of St. JEROME, she became enamoured the fiuest understandings, in perfect health,of the monastic life, and, quitting the line of different and distant nations, in all ages,for which nature designed her, she renounc- treading upon the same enchanted ground,ed the most endearing ties, and bound her- we can only wonder, for who can give anyself by the irrevocable vow. Deep melan- rational account of the aberrations of ourcholy then seized on her, and increased to reason ? ’?such a degree, that for many days she lay In order to pronounce that a crime com-motionless and senseless, like one who is mitted, has proceeded from melancholia,in a trance. Her tender frame, thus shaken, besides the previous history of the case, weprepared her for ecstasies and visions, such may be, in part, guided by the following

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rules:&mdash;1. The absence of all precaution in situated chiefly under the crown and fore-the performance of the act. 2. The absence head, sometimes as large as a pea. Theof all motive. 3. The person seeks no ossifications are commonly met with on theescape. If the melancholic, who has com- anterior surface of the anterior lobe of themitted homicidal crimes, commits at the brain, on the upper surface of each hemi-same time suicide, a question arises, what sphere, and on the flat surface lying on theevidence can be procured from the post- falx. Sometimes coagula of blood are

mortem examination t found in the pia mater, but these often occurIn general, the brain of melancholic ma- from violence during the paroxysm.

niacs is softer than that of the general 5. In the substance of the brain indica-maniac, and of sane individuals ; it is some- tions of inflammation are common; some-

times yellow and gelatinous; or a bloody times hydatids are found ; and occasionallyfluid is found at the base, or contained in an insupportable foetor is exhaled, on cut-cysts formed in the anterior lobes. Occa- ting into the brain. BONETUS mentionssionally the brain emits a peculiar foetid some cases in which the brain was dry andodour, but this often occurs, also, in the friable, but this is a rare occurrence. Onbrains of epileptics and idiots. This soft- the contrary, the brain is more frequentlyness serves to strengthen our diagnosis be- soft and pulpy, even to an extraordinarytween mania and melancholia; in mania it degree.is harder, also less pulpy, particularly in 6. In n;any instances water is found inthe cineritious part, than in melancholia, the ierttricles. This has been the case inSometimes, when the consistence is natural, all the brains of madmen which I have ex-the medullary portion is full of bloody amined; and, in these instances, also, thepoints, from the great turgescence of the choroid plexus was generally diseased, andvessels. In general the ventricles are en- often studded with hydatids, particularlylarged, sometimes to a very uncommon when the disease had been accompanieddegree ; but, on the contrary, these cavities with epilepsy.are sometimes much smaller and narrower 7. The pitieul gland is sometimes foundthan usual ; this, however, is less common covered with serum; sometimes it is muchthan the opposite state. In many instances, larger, harder, snd more tenacious thanfluid is found in the ventricles, but not in natural. Sometimes stony concretions areall. In mania the choroid plexus is swollen, found in it, but not always.occasionally containing hydatids, occasion- 8. The pituatary gland is, in general,ally with ossified spots. In melancholia harder than natural.hydatids are more common. The cerebel- 9. In the cerebellum the same spongylum is generally softened to the same de- bodies and ossifications, as have been notic-gree as the cerebrum. The pituitary gland ed in the brain, are also present: the mem-is enlarged, and most commouly harder branes are also thickened, and studdedthan natural. When such appearances are with hydatids; and sometimes coagula ofobserved, on post-mortem examinations, blood have been found on the medulla ob-coupled with the previous history of the longata and spinalis ; and the consistencecase, there is much confirmation of the opi- has corresponded with that of the brain.nion, that the person has laboured undermelancholia ; and evidence of this becomes A frequent consequence of melancholiapec.uliarly necessary in proving the validity is dementia, or fatuity. It is difficult toof wills. distinguish it from aineittia, imbecility, orWith respect to the appearances present- idiotism; and yet, in a medico-iegal point

ed in post-mortem dissections in mania, of view, this is a matter of much conse-which may be now noticed, it has been as- quellce; as dementia implies that thecertained,&mdash; person may have been at one time sane, or

1. That no distinction generally exists may again become so, whereas idiotcy,with regard to the size of the head, between strictly speaking, is a congenital disease,sane and insane individuals; nor is there and no hope of improvement, or change, isany dissimilarity of form. anticipated. When epilepsy attends arrsa-

2. The skull in maniacal patients is com- nity, fatuity is a frequent result of the con-monly very thick, and often without diploi ; tinuance of the disease. In fatuity a manbut this has not been observed in melan- may be so managed as to act with regularity,cholics. like a piece of machinery; and this may

3. The durca mater adheres strongly to the mislead careless observers, and appear asskull, and yet, in parts, fluid is found be- the consequence of reasoning, so that muchtween them: this membrane has been found, care is requisite to avoid fallacious opi-also, much thickened, varying in colour, nions being formed. It requires the medicaland occasionally ossified. man, therefore, who is to give an opinion on

4. The pilt zrtuteo has been found thick- the condition of the person, to see him veryened, iunltrated, and studded with small frequently, and to vary the hours of hisglobular, spongy bodies, and, in a few in- visits ; for, although a person labouringstances, ossitied. The spongy bodies are under dementia is usually calm and quiet

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yet short periods of irrascibility and fury idiotism; let us, therefore, briefly examineintervene, which may be observed by fre- the nature of this state.quently varying the time of visiting the Idiotcy was formerly employed as a termpatient. Attention must, also, be paid to to signify an unlearned or ignorant person ;ascertain whether any indications of hatred but in English law it signifies a person whoof particular individuals is obvious, as that has been without understanding from hisis very characteristic of this morbid state, birth. Considerable latitude has been givenand no kindness in those on whom their to the term, as Lord COKE includes in it adislike falls can ever lessen or change it. person who is born deaf, dumb, and blind.I was lately a witness in a case, where a The following is the legal definition ofyoung gentleman, who had just come of idiotcy:-" Idiotae sunt il)i tantum, quiage, was brought before a commission of omni ratiocinatione et judicio cavent,lunacy, to secure the fortune to which he tardi, bardi, morcones, macoerones, quiwas then entitled, by placing him under inopia caloris et spiritum laborant." Thoseproper guardianship. He was fatuitous are accounted to be idiots who are de-from long-continued epilepsy, but was re- void of reason and judgment, stupid, lum-garded, in every respect, as harmless; some- pish, fools, who labour under a defect ofthing, however, which his sister had said to heat and spirits. But, in a physiologicalhim, had excited in him a spirit of hatred point of view, idiotcy may be regarded astowards her, which he took every opportu- either congenital, or &agrave; nativitate; or it maynity of displaying. Only a few days before result from accidental causes ; as, for in-the commission, he had aimed a blow at stance, diseased organization of the brain,her head with a hatchet, which, fortunately arising from long-continued epilepsy, in-for her, slipped from his hand, and fell on temperance, or depressing passions, inone side. Education had been attempted in which case, as it were, it amalgamates withthis case, but the poor lad could not com- fatuity, and only differs from it in termi-prehend anything, and he became more idio- nation.tic as he advanced in life. Congenital idiotcy is the most frequent

In dementia the habits of cleanliness are form of the affection, and is generally con-lost, and the greatest beaux and belles nected with, or dependent upon, some

become slovens. The appetite is generally faulty conformation of the bones of theincreased to a degree almost approaching head, and organic affection of the brain andto brutality, in which case, however, the nerves. In congenital idiotcy, the physiog-patient seldom gets fat ; on the contrary, nomical characters of this state are, almostemaciation is often in the ratio of the vora- in every instance, sufficient to enable us tociousness of the appetite. In whichever pronounce judgment upon it. There is astate the patient appears, the countenance vague, unsteady, wandering eye, at least,has a peculiar character; a vacant, un- the e3 e is seldom fixed, for any length ofexpressive look, which is readily recogniz- time, upon any one object; a stupid ex-ed. In general, the face is pale, the eye pression of countenance, which pourtraysdull and moist, and the pupils are dilated. no sign of intelligence; and the face is dis-It is a curious fact, that the greatest number proportionately large, compared with theof deaths which occur in insanity, is after head. The mouth is generally gaping, andfatuity makes its appearance. pouring out saliva. There is a perpetual

As such a state of mind renders persons rolling and tossing of the head: no me-as incapable of managing their affairs, and mory, no language, no reason. Some, how-as open to mischief as insanity, legal means ever, among the Cretins, in the Valois, inare necessarily taken to protect them ; and Switzerland, and among the inhabitants ofsuch cases are generally put under the Carinthia, where idiotism is very prevalent,jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery, when are not altogether dumb, but express them-property is concerned, to protect the indi- selves in inarticulate sounds, cries, or inviduals from the cupidity of relatives and prolonged roars. These poor wretches, andothers. The justice and expediency of idiots in general, have all the animal in-such a power, to protect the persons and stincts, and some of the passions; but theirproperty of those who are incapable of tak- joy is " unmeaning mirth; their fear a tran-ing care of themselves, must be admitted. quil qualm; their anger a momentary fit ofIn determining the necessity, therefore, for violence; the gratifications of appetite arethe interference of the Lord Chancellor, it their only pleasure; bodily pain, or theis to the medical attendant that the law dread of it, their only sources of anger."looks for the detection, exposure, and It is said that idiots have strong sexualdefeat of frauds ; and, thence, I need desires, and great powers to execute them ;scarcely remark, the absolute decision, in but I apprehend this assertion is, at least,such cases, depending upon the profession, doubtful. It is certain that persons whorenders it a sacred duty to have a perfect become fatuitous have seldom any sexualknowledge of the disease. appetites.The state with which dementia is most Of those who are idiots from birth, many

likely to be confounded is, undoubtedly, are affected, sooner or later, with palsy, or

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epilepsy, or both; the former is usually is, in fact, absorbed, and as this occurs, itspartial. Vertigo is also a common attend- place is supplied by the fluid, in order toant of idiotism; and if we consider that few fill up what would otherwise be a vacuum.cases occur devoid of some defect, or de- Idiots seldom live to the age of thirty, andranged condition of the cerebral structure, generally die either in an epileptic or a pa-this is not wonderful. ralytic state. MECKEL, however, mentions anIn an instance of a girl, twelve years old, instance of one who lived to the age of

mentioned by ESQUIROL, the head was large fifty-nine. Hydrothorax is a very commonand irregularly-shaped, and the forehead termination of mania, melancholia, andhigh and prominent, so that the facial idiotcy ; so, also, is phthisis; and in post-angle was more than ninety degrees. She mortem examinations it is of great im-ate voraciously, without discrimination, portance to distinguish between the effectsand passed all evacuations involuntarily, of those diseases on the brain, and those ofbut the menses were regular and abundant. the mental alienation. Even when theIn her walking, and in every movement, disease is not congenital, the causes whichshe was a helpless infant, insensible to produce it derange the texture of the brain ;every change of temperature, to rain, and and the medium of sensorial impression,even to her own internal feelings. She that by which the communication betweencould only utter the words papa, mama, the mind and the external world can onlywhich she frequently repeated. be maintained, being rendered unfit to per-Another remarkable instance is mention- form its functions, all the operations of

ed, in Mr. HOBHOUSE’S Travels in Alba?iia; mind are destroyed.the idiot was a female, about three feet and Besides idiotism, it is necessary that youa half in height. She constantly sat rolled should also be aware that insanity occursup, as it were, upon a truss of straw; she also u nativitate, and even in cases wherewas quite dumb, nearly deaf, and was pos- neither parent display any symptoms ofsessed of consciousness of no one humanity, lunacy. I know a distinguished barrister,She would hop towards her keeper, on being whose child is mad; the case is so exactlyloudly called by a name with which she was similar to one related by Dr. HASLAM, thatfamiliar. 1 cannot do better than to read it to you:&mdash;But all idiots are not so remarkable as " The parents are persons of sound mind,

these; some possess a certain degree of and they do not remember any branches ofmemory, and display certain powers of imi- their respective families to have been intation, and repeat passages from books, any manner disordered in their intellects.which they have been taught,, but are in- The subject of the present relation was theircapable of comprehanding what they repeat. eldest son ; the second child was of a dis-I have even known instances in which a position remarkably mild; and the youngest,witty reply has been delivered by a person a child of about two years and a half, wasin every other respect an idiot. distinguished by the irritability and im-A learned Professor in Edinburgh once, patience of his temper. At the age of two

accosting a half idiot, asked him how long years, the subject of the present relationhe thought that a man could live without became so mischievous and uncontrollable,brains? The poor fellow, before replying, that he was sent from home to be nursed bylooked the questioner full in the face; and his aunt. In this situation, at the requestthen laying hold of the lapel of his coat, of his parents, and with the concurrence ofsaid, " Pray, Doctor, how long have ye his relation, he was indulged in every wish,leeved?" and never corrected for any perversenessThe brain, and the bones of the cranium, or impropriety of conduct. Thus he con-

are both unnatural, in point of conformation, tinued until nine years old, the creature ofin this very humiliating state of humanity. volition and the terror of the family. AtThe nervous system is so much deranged, the suggestion of the physician, whom Itnat life can, with difficulty, be maintained. have before mentioned, and who was theM. MAGENDrIE asserts, that idiotcy depends, friend of the parents, a person was ap-sometimes, on the entrance to the fourth pointed to watch over him. It being theventricle being closed by an osseous tumour, opinion of the doctor that the case originat-projecting from the basilar process of the ed in over-indulgence and perverseness, aoccipital bone, and forcing up the soft parts different system of management was adopt-immediately in contact with it. Thus, an- ed. The superintendent was ordered toother tumour acting in the same manner, correct him for each individual impropriety.causes an accumulation of the ventricle At this time the boy would neither undressfluids, which MAGENDIE believes always nor dress himself, though capable of doingtends to weaken the intellectual faculties. both ; when his hands were at liberty heThe brain, also, (says this celebrated pa- tore his clothes, he broke everything in histhologist), is often softened down so com- reach, or that was presented to him, andpletely, as to be little more than a bag of frequently refused to take food. He gavepulpy fluid, with some nervous matter here answers only to such questions as pleasedand there mixed iu it. The nervous matter him; and acted in opposition to every diree-

8

tion. The superintendent exercised this wife of all idiot is entitled to dower. Allplan for several months, but, perhaps, not idiots and lunatics are under the guardian-to the extent laid down, for it may be pre- ship of the crown, in consequence of a sta-sumed that after a few flagellations his tute made in the reign of EDWARD the First.humanity prevailed over the medical hypo- In the subsequent reign, it became a part ofthesis. On the first interview I had with the prerogative of the crown. The king ishim he contrived, after two or three minutes’ entitled to the custody of the person of anacquaintance, to break a window, and tear idiot during life, and has a beneficial in-the frill of my shirt. He was an unrelent- terest in his freehold lands. This has al-ing foe to all china, glass,andcrockeryware; ways been regarded as a hardship on pri-whenever they came within his reach he vate families ; and, although there are fewshivered them instantly. In walking the instances of its oppressive exercise, yet thestreet the keeper was compelled to keep the responsibility in determining idiotcy is great.wall, as he uniformly broke the windows if To ascertain the existence of idiotcy, Dr.he could get near them, and this operation HASLAM judiciously advises, as the firsthe performed so dexterously, and with such step, to examine, and endeavour to estimate,safety to himself, that he never cut his fingers. the power of the idiot’s attention; for bothTo tear lace, and destroy the finer textures memory and his knowledge of objects mustof female ornament, seemed to gratify him be regulated by, and solely depend on, theexceedingly, and he seldom walked out duration and extent of his attention. If hewithout finding an occasion of indulging in cannot comprehend the nature of numbers,this propensity. He never became attached it is impossible he can have any idea of theto any inferior animals, a benevolence so nature of property ; yet I have heard of acommon to the generality of children; to person, who was not accounted an idiot,those creatures his conduct was that of the and yet could not comprehend the nature ofbrute ; he oppressed the feeble, and avoided numbers beyond four. " If a person," saysthe society of those more powerful than him- Dr. HASLAM, 11 is capable of enumeratingself. Considerable practice had taught him progressively to ten, and knows the forcethat he was the cat’s master, and whenever and value of the separate units, he may bethis luckless animal approached him he pronounced fully adequate to the manage.plucked out its whiskers with wonderful ment of property :.if he can comprehend, thatrapidity; to use his own words, I must twice two compose four, he can find nohave her beard of.’ After this operation he difficulty in understanding that twice tengenerally threw the creature on the fire, or constitute twenty ; or that so many takenthrough the window. If a little dog came from, or subtracted from, ten, would leavenear him he invariably kicked it, if a so many as the remainder. Without suchlarge one he would never notice it. capacity," says Dr. HASLAM, " no man, inWhen he was spoken to he usually said, my opinion, could understand the natureI I do not choose to answer,’ When he of the property which is represented byperceived any one who appeared to observe pounds, shillings, and pence." A person inhim attentively, he always said, Now I this state is competent to make a will; butwill look unpleasant.’ The usual games an idiot cannot make a will. An insaneof children afforded him no amusement. person, during a lucid interval, may make aWhenever boys were at play he never joined will; and should he become insane afterthem: indeed, the most singular part of his making a will, at this period, the subse-character was, that he appeared incapable quent lunacy does not operate as the revo-of forming a friendship with any one. He cation of a will.felt no consideration for sex, and would as A petition for a commission of lunacy wasreadily kick or bite a girl as a boy. Of preferred against Lord DONEGAL, in 1731,any kindness shewn him he was equally on the ground of the weakness of his under-insensible ; he would receive an orange as standing. A caveat having been entered,a present, and afterwards throw it in the Lord HARDWICKE, who was the then Lordface of the danor."* Chancellor, ordered an examination. InLORRY, also, mentions a child who was this case it was found that Lord DONEGAL

born mad ; and, for the short period that lie could give rational answers about his estate,lived, (for he died during dentition), tore but not to any questions about figures, asand destroyed every thing. to which he could not answer the mostWhen idiotism does not proceed to the common. Lord HARDWICKE did not think

utmost extent, questions may arise in which that a siifficient reason for granting a corn-it is essential to determine the capacity of mission.the person. Although the law objects to It may be necessary to inform you,contracts of marriage made during madness, that a commission of lunacy is a writyet it admits the validity of a marriage con- under the great sea], directing a certaintracted with an idiot, &agrave; nativitate, and the number of commissioners, with a jury oftwelve men, to inquire, on oath, whether* ide Haslam’s Observations on Nadness, p.

the person be an idiot, a lunatic, or non-1D8. compos ; m all of Vi lC states ft person is

9

considered incapable of making a will. Per- tsons who are idiots or natural fools, persons timbecile from old age, or from disease ; (

habitual drunkards; those labouring under’delirium tremens ; phrenitis; and those intyphus fever, are also regarded as legally I

incapable of disposing of property by will.It is on this account that the law guardsso jealously the property of lunatics ; andit is on this account that lunacy is oftenimputed when it does not exist. " I knewan instance," says Mr. Bakewell, " of aperson of very respectable family, who be-came insane soon after giving birth to a son.She was put into a back garret, where shewas scantily fed and coarsely clothfd, whileher husband enjoyed every luxury whichmoney could purchase, in the house below,until the son became of age, and obtainedher release." Instances have occurred inwhich sons have imputed insanity to theirfathers, brothers to brothers, and even mo-thers to sons, Bolely for the sake of property.Whilst such imputations exist, wills madeby such persons are questionable, conse-quently, in legal investigations of this de-scription, every thing depends on medicalevidence.

Persons subject to insanity are incapableof disposing, by will, during their insanity ;although a will made by such person pre-vious to insanity, is not revoked by thecircumstance of subsequent insanity, or byan attempt to obliterate it during a fit of

insanity ; thence the importance of sub-stantiating these states. The law admitsof the disposal of property, however, duringa lucid interval. A will made in a clear,lucid interval will be held to be valid.

LECTURES

ON THE

PHYSIOLOGY OF THE NERVOUS

SYSTEM,DELIVERED IN 1836, IN THE COLLEGE OF FRANCE.

BY M. MAGENDIE.

LECTURE XVI.

Proof, by experiment, that the section of theolfactory nerve does not destroy theftitictioitqf smell. The peculiar orbattizutio2t of thatnerce accords with the result of tlac expe-riment. Tlieffth nerve, in reality, ciirectsctrul administers the function of smelling.Experiments to determine whether the opticncrt;e presides orer the organ of sig-ht.Crossing of nervous filaments in the brain.Divisioit of the optic ncrr:e in front of, andbehind its decussation, proving that visionis lost in either case. Loss of sensibility inthe ball of the eye.GENTLEMEN :&mdash;In our last lecture we di-

rected your attention almost exclusively to

he physiology of the first pair of nerves, or;he olfactory, with which we commenced)ur study of what has been denominated’special sensibility." We took occasion,when entering on this part of our subject,Lo mention the opinions put forward bySCHNEIDER and SCARPA, on the functions ofthe olfactory nerve, but omitted to tell you,among other matters, that SCHNEIDER wasthe first anatomist who seriously refuted thetheory of the more ancient writers, accord-ing to which the nasal secretion was deriv-ed from the ventricles of the brain.We have sought to determine, with all

the accuracy of which the nature of thisdelicate subject admits, the relations thatmay exist between the various ramificationsof the olfactory nerve and odoriferous par-ticles ; and, as a consequence of this inves-tigation, we concluded that, according to allappearance, it is the olfactory nerve whichis destined to preside over the special senseof smelling. Experiment, however, demon-strated the contrary in the clearest manner.We separated the whole of the cerebralolfactory organs from the nasal apparatus,cutting off all communication between theSchneiderian membrane and the olfactorybulbs, yet you yourselves saw how the

olfactory power, so far from being destroy-ed, as it should have been, had it dependedon the olfactory nerves, actually persisted,with some degree of energy. You must

remember how the dog, on which we per-formed our last experiment, passed his noseover a morsel of cheese, although both olfac-tory nerves had been cut across within thecranium. But it may be objected, that thisarose either from the habit which thatanimal has of passing the nose over an

object ; or was determined by the sight ofthe object ; or, finally, depended on an iiii-perfect section of the nervous trunks them-selves. To remove all doubt upon thesepoints, we shall recommence the experi-ment to-day, and shall take care to placethe cheese, or a bit of meat, near the dog,without his seeing it ; this will enable usto judge more correctly on the nature of theimpression which he may receive. We arenot compelled to have recourse to experi-ment, in order to show that general sensibi-lity may exist, independently of specialsensibility. That is shown by the patholo-gical phenomena which pass daily beforeour eyes. I shall cite only a single exam-ple. M. BRoc, one of our most distin-guished private anatomical teachers, hascompletely lost the sense of smell, althoughthe general sensibility of his face, and of theinterior of the nares, seems to have under.gone no modification whatever.

I shall remark to you, that if the distri-bution of the olfactory nerve be calculatedto induce the idea of its being the nerve ofsmell, the organization of its cerebral orconcentric portion leads us to distinguish