On the nature, and proximate cause, of insanity / by James George Davey.

  • Davey, James George, 1813-1895.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the nature, and proximate cause, of insanity / by James George Davey. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    mental health, would in all probability have sufficed for her complete restoration to health; but not only was this important step not taken at this early stage of the disorder, but, as it would appear, she con- tinued for a long time exposed to all the disad- vantages of her poor station in life, with the mind and body alike deprived of the necessary remedial means; and thus was it, the disease persisting, she was, after this serious delay, taken to a public Asylum; whereat however she was put on so low a diet, that the brain was rendered incompetent to resume its original power. It was, plainly, in- sufficient for her restoration to health, to allay only the indications of active disorder—this, her removal from home, and an introduction to new scenes, to strange faces, and to altered circumstances, speedily accomplished; but, much more was required to restore the healthy functions of the organ affected— to give back the force and energy the brain had lost. On her admission into the Colney Hatch Asylum, her appearance was that which belongs to one but half fed; she painfully yet practically illus- trated the effects of ‘ a srnall cause in long continued operation’ E. J., was put on a liberal diet; meat and wine were allowed daily. The sulphates of quinine and iron were directed to be taken, in liberal doses; and an occasional laxative was pre- scribed, &c. The brain so long accustomed to the