General paralysis : a critical review of the literature of the subject, to which is appended an analysis of the case of John S. Blackburn, in which insanity was alleged as a means of defense / by D.A. Morse.

  • Morse, D. A. (David Appleton), 1840-
Date:
[1874]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: General paralysis : a critical review of the literature of the subject, to which is appended an analysis of the case of John S. Blackburn, in which insanity was alleged as a means of defense / by D.A. Morse. 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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    and ear are united. This relieved the swelling although several days afterward it was not entirely abated. The end of the nose was also congested. Wilson's idea was that this condition indicated the character of the changes within the head. He said there was a gradual breaking down and weakening of his mental and physical faculties. I do not think he has capacity enough to reason against his delusion. He could not compre- hend. Blackbui'n constantly expressed fear of death—that he would never get well. The evidence of Dr.Strain was: called on me first in De- cember 1870; complained of his head and right leg; when he put out his tongue it would go to the right side; his secretions were depraved, and his general condition bad; his mental con- dition was disturbed ; he would suddenly break off talking as though he forgot; saw him in latter part of March (1871) and thought him worse physically and mentally; saw him in June and thought him better in body, but worse in mind; regard him as a monomaniac on the subject of Avant. Could not state the cause of his illness; believed that excessive sexual indul- gence had something to do with it. This was Blackburn's opinion also. Numerous witnesses testified to the change of character— from activity and energy he became apathetic, indifferent, tor- pid. Incapable of doing aitything, he ran around crying, com- plaining of his head, saying his family would starve. Two Chillicothe physicians testified to a difference in the size of the pupils, at that time, April, 1874. Dr. Graham, of Cin- cinnati, testified in November, 1871: Blackburn's disease :is (Zemen^ia, a depression of all the faculties, he is morally insane, has no will to execute what his judgment tells him'' is right and proper to do, and on account of his mental and physical