Nervous and mental diseases / by Archibald Church ... and Frederick Peterson ... With 305 illustrations.

  • Church, Archibald, 1861-1952.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Nervous and mental diseases / by Archibald Church ... and Frederick Peterson ... With 305 illustrations. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

    717/886 (page 713)
    which both the mania and melancholia are severe. But there are mixed types, in which the mania may be mild and the melancholia severe, or vice versa. Mild types of circular insanity—instances in which both the depressed and exalted phases are so moderate in degree as not to permit of com- mitment to an asylum—are not infrequently met with by the practi- tioner, and they are often difficult cases to handle properly. Thus, I have in mind two brothers, now over fifty years of age, who are both afflicted with circular insanity, manifested in a form very distressing to the relatives. A description of one will describe the other, and not only him, but many other similar cases : E., male, aged fifty-four, single, with hereditary taint, has for many years been subject to alternating attacks of depression and exaltation. I have seen and examined him in both phases. There is little, if any, discernible interval, but a gradual merging of one phase into the other. Mental State Delirwusjlhma- Jeutejlti aula. Simple jExeUiatib/t- -rffarmalJ4$<el Simplest ytewte Arfela/ickotia-, /Welane/iolicL. of .//ttomtcu Ja. m M&4ffl Mayc/u c/uly Aug. Mi Be Fig. 276.—Scheme of course of disease in periodical circular insanity. The depressed period lasts for from three to six months. In this, his expression is dejected ; he feels that life is a failure, that he can not live long. He consults various physicians for different maladies which he thinks may account for his general malaise. He can not concentrate his mind on anything, can not read or write letters ; refuses to transact the most necessary business in connection with his estate. He talks little, and broods over the mistakes and follies committed in the exalted phase of his disorder. He is rather suspicious and distrustful of his family. Sometimes he is inclined to put an end to his misery by suicide. Little by little this weight of depression begins to lighten, and he passes insensibly into a condition in which he begins to feel himself rejuvenat- ing. Life takes on a little rosier color; his malaise vanishes, and a sense of well-being begins to infuse itself through his body. His ex- pression changes from the fixed look of deep dejection to one of cheer- ful variability. In the place of quiet brooding we note an awakening interest in things about him. He begins to talk vivaciously, to be