Two unique cases of insanity : possibly epileptic / by Theo. W. Fisher.

  • Fisher, Theodore W. (Theodore Willis), 1837-1914.
Date:
1887
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Two unique cases of insanity : possibly epileptic / by Theo. W. Fisher. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    appetite failed, and be became somewhat depressed and nervous. He bad no headache, dyspepsia, constipation, or other physical symptoms at this time. One day, in the spring, while walking, he had a “set7’ look and suddenly exclaimed, “ Oh God! this is terrible.” He seized a fence and shook it, shouting “ Let me go ! Let me go ! ” He did not explain his feelings, nor the meaning of his express- ions at this time. He was treated with bromides at night by Dr. C. Ellery Stedman, and sent off on a yachting expedition during the summer. He returned in improved health, but by no meaus well. He slept well and retired at nine o’clock, at this time resuming 7 O his studies, but was troubled with “specks” before his eyes, for which he consulted Dr. J. P. Oliver. He had also consulted Dr. Shaw for a purulent discharge from his right ear. Monday night before admission, he took a bag and went out, saying in answer to the apparent anxiety of his family, that he was “not going to do anything wrong.” He soon came back. Tuesday evening he visited his pastor, and asked him about the possibility of Christians becoming insane. A short time previous he had told his Sunday School teacher that it was im- possible for a perfect Christian to become insane. On this evening he seemed excited. At three o’clock Wednesday morning, his father heard groans coming from his room, the door being locked. On bursting open the door, he was found on the bed apparently in a state of opisthotonos, back arched, and head and feet resting on the bed. His right little linger was in his mouth, and he was exclaiming, “ Oh ! how I suffer! Oh I how I suffer!” His face and hand were covered with blood from his finger which he had bitten to the bone. His father pulled the finger from his mouth thereby detaching a large seal ring, which the patient involuu-