On uncontrollable drunkenness considered as a form of mental disorder, with the only possible means of legally dealing with such cases / by L. Forbes Winslow.

  • Winslow, Lyttleton Forbes, 1844-1913.
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On uncontrollable drunkenness considered as a form of mental disorder, with the only possible means of legally dealing with such cases / by L. Forbes Winslow. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    positions) of decided genius, of wonderful attain¬ ments, and cultivated intellectual taste fall a prey to this form of insanity, and become utterly wrecked in mind, body, and estate. It is difficult for those unprofessionally conversant with these cases to appreciate the extent to which this vice prevails in all ranks of society, and the difficulties connected with its successful treatment. In the majority of instances, and in those too where the habit of intemperance has reduced the person almost to the level of the beast, the ordinary reasoning powers for a time appear to be intact, and the mind is apparently free from the influence of delusions, hallucinations, or any other form of mental alienation. The person when not actually muddled by drink talks rationally, consecutively, and often with great acuteness and sagacity. Hence the medical and legal difficulties that arise when asked what amount of personal interference can be imposed in such cases with the view of destroying the insane impulse to drink and of saving the patient, if not from a horrible death, at least from