On suicidal impulse.

  • Christie, James, 1829-1892.
Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On suicidal impulse. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    of a speedy escape, and as there is no time for hesitation, the effort is at once made. Such cases are of very frequent occurrence, and as, in many instances, patients are not sent to an asylum on the first, accession of the symptoms, but only after the utmost alarm has been excited on account of the development of suicidal propensities, we most frequently find, on making inquiry concerning the mode in which suicide was attempted, that the attempt was made to get out by the window from a desire to escape. Sometimes this desire becomes changed into a distinct suicidal impulse, when escape from the supposed danger is seen to be impossible. This, how- ever, will be considered hereafter, when we come to classify those cases in which suicidal intention is entertained. Suspicion is a mental state closely allied to that of fear. In each there is an apprehension of impending evil, and a strong desire to avoid it. The element of dubiety to be found in the former is represented by certainty in the latter, so that the resulting act is characterized more by caution than precipitation. In both the ruling instinct of self-preservation is strong, and in both it may lead to self-destructive acts. The morbid suspicion of the insane is sometimes so great as to lead to the refusal of food for very lengthened periods, and their deep-rooted convictions regarding the deleterious nature of the ingredients mixed up with it lead to the determination rather to prolong life a little longer and to die ultimately from starvation, than to partake of the food which is to poison them at once. This naturally leads us to the second group of cases, viz., those in which peculiar delusions, illusions, or hallucinations give rise to self-destructive acts. In the group previously considered, although strongly marked by such peculiar phenomena, the distinctive feature was fear; but this depressing passion does not necessarily enter into the group now about to be considered. Peculiar delusions may lead to the refusal of food to such an extent as to endanger life. Unlike the cases already mentioned, there is no apparent undue activity in the instinct of self-pre- servation, neither is there a reckless disregard of life. A gigantic delusion rules the mind, and every mental faculty is subservient to it; blind, implicit obedience is demanded by this omnipotent power; reason is ignored, and faith, blind-folded, leads the way, heedless of the course it pursues. Those who have had such unfortunate experience, but who have recovered, speak with peculiar emphasis concerning the strength of their delusions, and, if their actions were such as to indicate the existence of suicidal tendencies, the idea is repudiated, their conduct being explained by the peculiarity of the delusion.