A man diagnosed as suffering from acute dementia. Lithograph, 1892, after a drawing by Alexander Johnston, 1836/1841, for Sir Alexander Morison.

item

Galleries and Reading Room

Library

Shop

Café

<p>A patient at Bethlem Hospital, Southwark, described on the verso of Johnston's drawing as "W. Williams - Bethlem/Acute dementia. Recovered", which is expanded in Morison's Physiognomy of mental diseases, 1840, pl. LXXI, as follows: "Portrait of J.W., aged 25, a painter. The cause of this man's disorder was stated to be the intemperate use of strong liquors. It commenced with incoherence in his discourse and in his actions; he was soon after reduced to a stage of apparent idiocy; fell down when placed on his feet; did not appear to comprehend the simplest question; his eyes were vacant; his regard was unsteady; he looked as if astonished. He was disposed to be obstinate, and rather mischievous; he was, however, easily restrained. He had been four months in this state when his portrait was taken."</p>

A man diagnosed as suffering from acute dementia. Lithograph, 1892, after a drawing by Alexander Johnston, 1836/1841, for Sir Alexander Morison.

Licence and re-use