Practical observations on mental and nervous disorders / by Alfred Beaumont Maddock ; illustrated with cases.

  • Maddock, Alfred Beaumont.
Date:
1854
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical observations on mental and nervous disorders / by Alfred Beaumont Maddock ; illustrated with cases. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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

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    tion, may detennine the future constitution of their descendants. Numerous instances in corroboration of this opinion may be met with in most physiological works, in which abundant evidence exists, illustrative of the low condition of mental power in those children who have dated their origin from the drunken orgies of their parents; and the frequent and oft-remarked deficiency in mental calibre of the eldest child of a family to the rest, has been shrewdly attributed, to the more sensual con- ditions under which its existence was commenced. That the opposite condition of things is referrible to a simi- lar mode of argument, is shown by the fact that the rudi- ments of the intellectual frame, may, by error of education, or a too early and violent impulse towards what is sublime and beautiful in morals and in mind, be fostered into mad- ness.* Upon this highly interesting and important subject much might be adduced, but as it is not immediately appertaining to the more particular object of this work, what has been mentioned, may suffice to promote further inquiry. The extent to which hereditary predisposition prevails, is perceptible, not only in the descent of particular diseases, but in the resemblance which the generality of persons bear to their parents or remoter ancestors, in form and feature, as well as in peculiarities of talent, temper, or disposition. The transmission of a supernumerary finger or toe, is a popular * In the burlesque history of Martinus Scriblerus, is humorously and graphically described, the mode by which his paternal ancestor endeavoured to ensure learning, taste, and love of the line arts, in the person of his son, by sedulously surrounding him, from his earliest inf\mcy, with libraries of books, with the choicest paintings, with the most enchanting prospects, and with the most delicious harmonies.