The mental aspects of ordinary disease / by J. Milner Fothergill.

  • Fothergill, J. Milner (John Milner), 1841-1888.
Date:
[1874]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The mental aspects of ordinary disease / by J. Milner Fothergill. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    marked evidences of the craving for nutrition on the part of the cerebral cells are furnished. A similar irritability is the ordinary mental attitude of convalescence from acute disease, and either precedes or runs into and co-exists with the keen appetite usually found at that time. They are linked together by something more positive than mere coincidence. The dependence of modifications of the functional activity of the cerebral cells upon other corporeal conditions than mere changes in the blood, upon general plethora or anaemia, or passing conditions of the presence or absence of nutritive plasma in the circulating fluid, is now well recognised. There are communicating fibres, electric wires as it were, by which the brain receives impressions of varying character from different organs. An impression coming in from some far away peripheral point may stimulate or inhibit the action of the cerebral cells. So strong may be the impression that actual insanity may be produced, as in the case of a lady, related by Schroeder van der Xolk, who became insane when¬ ever her womb became displaced, and sane again as soon as it was returned into its place. Such changes as constitute in¬ sanity are the more pronounced of those reflex consequences of certain systemic influences upon the working of the brain. There are the conditions known as melancholia and the spes phtliisica. They are only two of the best known instances of the modification of the mental processes depending upon morbid conditions of different viscera. The effect of several morbid states is to stimulate the brain into greater activity, to evoke higher manifestations of its power. A non-medical, but most acute observer and able writer,* says : “ It seems even that bodily pain and disease are not only compatible with, but may directly contribute to, the loftiest efforts of the intellect. They sometimes positively enhance its powers. The effects of some disorders and of certain sorts of pain upon the nerves is to produce a cerebral excitation ; and the stimulus thus communicated to the material organ of thought renders it for the time capable of unusual effort. Men under the stirring influence of severe pain are capable of a degree of imagination and ratiocinative brilliancy which astonishes themselves and all who have known them only in ordinary moods of comfort. Extinct faculties come back to them. Torpid faculties become vigorous and sparkling. Forgotten knowledge is recovered. Marvellous gleams of * “ The Enigmas of Life,” by VV. R. Greg.