A treatise on nervous derangements and mental disorders : based upon Th. J. Rückert's Clinical experience in homoeopathy / by John C. Peters.

  • Peters, John C. (John Charles), 1819-1893.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on nervous derangements and mental disorders : based upon Th. J. Rückert's Clinical experience in homoeopathy / by John C. Peters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    results of the consequent reflections. In the insane, the im- pressions are so vivid, fugitive and numerous, and the ideas so abundant, that they cannot fix their attention sufficiently and justly upon each thought, object, or idea ; while with the mono- maniac, the attention is so concentrated, and the ideas so few, that it cannot turn itself aside upon surrounding objects and ac- cessory ideas. Hence a vicious, or imperfect mental and moral training is a powerful predisposing cause of derangement. There may be error in two opposite directions. The brain may be prematurely stimulated to exertion by the ambition of the child, or the parent; or the evil passions may be allowed to de- velop themselves unchecked, through a weak and injudicious indulgence. In the former case, especially if the patient be of a naturally highly nervous or enthusiastic temperament, the brain is often brought into a state of excitement and irritation, which requires but a slight additional excitement to become de- cidedly morbid; in the latter, the character is left unprovided with the due safeguards against the temptations, annoyances, disappointments, and necessary struggles of life, and the mind sometimes breaks down under the first serious conflict. Mental and moral training is essentially necessary to those who have naturally any strong passion in excess, such as ambition, pride, love of applause. The one-sided, enthusiastic, conceited, or careless person, will also be very apt to neglect the proper care of his or her body, natural functions, diet, rest, &c, and hence, various bodily derangements will soon be ready to add their quota to natural predisposition, or acquired tendency to mental derangement. In accordance with these views, the profession or business of men has great influence over the number of the insane. The proportion is vastly greater among classes whose brains are kept in a perpetual turmoil, either of passion, or of intellect, than among those who pursue a tranquil course of moderate indus- try and enjoyment. It has also been observed that the number of insane is greater in a community, in proportion to the politi- cal and religious freedom of the population ; that is, to the op- portunity they enjoy of working out their own purposes, whether in relation to this world, or the next, in the manner most agree- able to themselves. Excitement, powerful effort, and want of