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

  • Spurzheim, J. G. (Johann Gaspar), 1776-1832.
Date:
[1835], ©1835
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    of action, and accelerates the circulation of blood through the heart and arteries, but retards its return through the veins. Too sudden affections, agreeable or disagreeable, often pro- duce various disturbances of animal life. There are instances on record that sudden joy was the cause of death. I have seen several examples of persons, who from fear became insane, some quite idiotic. The affections of the mind which take place in the brain, act immediately on its substance and blood-vessels ; then on circulation in general, on the digestive organs and on nutrition, and, by the disorders of those functions, again medi- ately on the brain. In this manner it is conceivable, why affec- tions produce insanity. Thus, every thing w^hich excites the feelings and their affections too much, will contribute to insanity . This may be proved by the effect of revolutions, since in all great political changes and disturbances, all feelings and selfish passions, such as ambition, pride, courage, fear, anxiety, are more active ; and many feelings are disappointed, whence insanity is often the natural consequence. In later years, France and Ire- land have furnished many examples in support of this truth. It is believed that insanity is more or less frequent according to the state of civilization. Dr. Rush* says, After much in- quiry, I have not been able to find a single instance of fatuity among the Indians, and but few instances ^^^ melancholy and mad- ness : and in another work f he st3^<=s, what he was told by Baron de Humboldt, that he did not hear of a single instance of madness among the uncivilized Indians in South America In proportion as luxury and relinement extend their influence, dis- eases increase in number and varieties, nervous sensibility and imagination are exalted, and more examples of insanity afflict mankind. Misunderstood education, romantic or ideal notions of the world, hence disappointment in finding the world as it is, and not as it ought to be according to fanciful dreams, have often re- duced the mind to a state of insanity. *Medical Inquiries, vol. i. p. 19. f Diseases of the Mind, p. 65. 20