A dissertation on the features and treatment of insanity. Containing a retrospect of the most important modern theories on the subject : and observations on the inadequacy of our present knowledge of the physiology and pathology of the brain to elucidate the phenomena of mental derangement / by John Syer.

  • Syer, John, 1937-2009.
Date:
1827
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A dissertation on the features and treatment of insanity. Containing a retrospect of the most important modern theories on the subject : and observations on the inadequacy of our present knowledge of the physiology and pathology of the brain to elucidate the phenomena of mental derangement / by John Syer. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    mind and the body, no one has yet ascertained the seat of insanity. So far from being justified in ascribing the aberrations of the former to the defect of any single faculty, there is no end to the variety of incongruous features in each individual case. ‘There is considerable analogy in this respect, in the shades of difference attached to each example of corporeal disease; there is no pathognomonic symptom. ‘The principal use of generalizing our observations, is to simplify the character and scientific arrangement of a disease, and systems of classification are established to aid the memory, but more frequently their result is to mislead the judgment. We must never forget that they are mere creatures of the mind or imagination, and no longer than whilst they serve to co-operate with clinical observation, are they entitled to our veneration or regard. Where the nosological arrangement of the Greek and Roman physicians does not appear so” perspicuous as that of modern pathologists, it is still in many parts more consonant with natural _ observation; and it is sufficiently evident, if we merely reflect on the medical terms which have descended to us, that the body was always con- sidered as bearing a very imporiant share in mental affections ; but in very few instances have we the means of ascertaining to what extent their success in practice coincided with their theory. Dr. Cullen, who has been the idol of great part