Insanity tested by science, and shown to be a disease rarely connected with permanent organic lesion of the brain. And on that account far more susceptible of cure than has hitherto been supposed / [Charles Mountford Burnett].

  • Burnett, C. M. (Charles Mountford), 1807-1866
Date:
1848
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Insanity tested by science, and shown to be a disease rarely connected with permanent organic lesion of the brain. And on that account far more susceptible of cure than has hitherto been supposed / [Charles Mountford Burnett]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    90/128 (page 82)
    Tartar emetic. Prussi¢ acid. Metallic tonics. 82 TREATMENT OF opinions upon the use of this than any other therapeu- tic agent, we are bound to say it has, as a remedy in some forms of insanity, been either misapplied or entirely overlooked. Some of Dr. Seymour’s* cases confirm the observations we have been making on the error of supposing in this disease, that because a remedy fails to produce effect in a few days it should be discontinued as useless. Seymour’s cases, treated with morphia, recovered, not because he gave them morphia, but because he continued it long enough. The impression made by tartar emetic on the nervous expansions of the mucous membrane of the stomach and duodenum, is most yaluable in allaying the excitement of mania. The manner in which it acts is very remark- able, and the recovery from mania after its use is often most rapid and complete. We can give our testimony to the great advantage to be derived from prussic acid in some forms of mental disease. Where the stomach is unusually irri- table and depressed, we have found no medicine that could take its place. In one instance of melancholy, after being persevered in for ¢ea or twelve weeks, com- bined with infusion of hops, it effected a complete removal of the morbid symptoms. It is very useful also in hypochondriasis, in which disease we have witnessed its utility if persevered in. There are a class of remedies of great value in these affections, which are known as metallic tonics. And certainly their effects in rousing the dormant energy of the nervous system, and in destroying its morbid action are very striking. Knowing how invariably all tonic remedies tend to augment the mischief when inflam- matory symptoms indicate that the brain or its + Thoughts on the Nature and Treatment of several Severe Diseases of the Human Body, vol. i, p. 160 et seq.