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Observations on the deranged manifestations of the mind; or, insanity / By J.G. Spurzheim.

  • Johann Spurzheim
Date:
1817
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the deranged manifestations of the mind; or, insanity / By J.G. Spurzheim. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    philosophers, and ascribed its deranged manifesta- tions to the agent as independent of organization. This opinion has been propagated to future centu- ries. During the period when the derangements of the mind were considered as the effect of malignant- spirits, the priests pretended to have more influence on such diseases, and more power over the invisible cause, than the rest of mankind. ‘They maintained that they were able to drive out the evil spirits. Ac- cordingly the treatment of mental alienations has been associated with the other duties of the sacerdo- tal office. In later ages the influence of the organization on the manifestations of the mind has been examined with more attention, and the brain and nerves have acquired a degree of importance which they did not possess in the estimation of ancient physiologists. Indeed, it cannot be doubted that a perfect know- ledge of the faculties of the mind, and of the con- ditions under which they are manifested, must lead to a better knowledge of their deranged functions. Thus we flatter ourselves that our anatomical and physiological investigations will become the basis of a new doctrine on insanity. Every one must agree with Haslam,* that, ‘* whenever the functions of the brain shall be fully understood, and the use of its different parts ascertained, we may then be enabled to judge how far disease, attacking any of these - parts, may increase, diminish, or otherwise alter its functions.” There are general considerations of pathology * Observations on Madness, 2d edit. p. 237.
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