A case of homicidal mania, without disorder of the intellect / by C. Lockhart Robertson.

  • Robertson, C. Lockhart (Charles Lockhart), 1825-1897.
Date:
[1860]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A case of homicidal mania, without disorder of the intellect / by C. Lockhart Robertson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    During one of my conversations with him, he expressed his intention, when liberated, to apply a small sum of money he had in the hand of a relative, to make compensation to the attendant, whom he had injured at Barming Heath. He admitted that he was perfectly conscious of right and wrong, and said himself that if he committed murder, he ought to be made amenable to the law. I certainly thought he was convalescent, and I entirely failed in tracing in him any deviation from the healthy stand- ard, either intellectually or morally. He appeared to feel much the degradation of his position, and his plans of future amendment and usefulness were frequently spoken of by him. His general conduct, up to the moment of his homicidal at- tack on the assistant medical officer, was that of a person of sound mind. In consequence of the qualified certificate which I gave on the 19th November, the Commissioners in Lunacy wrote, asking for a further report on the case. On the 6th of January, I860, I consequently transmitted the following memorandum to their Secretary. [Copy.] Memorandum by Dr. Robertson on the case of G. T. Sussex Lunatic Asylum, 6th January, 1860. With reference to my certificate in the case of G. T., a criminal patient transferred from the Kent Asylum on the 14th November, 1859, I have now to state :— 1. That to the best of my knowledge the patient has, since his admission here, exhibited no symptom of mental disease. 2. That I believe him to be conscious of right and wrong. 3. That his conduct has been most exemplary. He has mixed freely with the other patients, and joined in our weekly balls. He has also, at my request, undertaken the duty of chapel clerk, and attends the daily morning prayer. 4. 1 consider this statement and opinion reconcilable with Dr. Huxley’s report of his violence on many occasions and of his homicidal propensities if it be assumed that he is the subject of that form of mental disease termed by French writers, monomanie meurtriere (homicidal insanity) which form of mental disease certainly exists in spite of the opinion of the judges to the contrary. Under these circumstances I am of opinion that G. T. should be detained here until such time as the Commissioners in Lunacy examine and personally decide the question. (Signed) C. L. Robertson.