An introductory lecture read at the opening of the clinique for nervous and mental diseases in the Royal Charité in Berlin, 1st May, 1866 / by Professor W. Griesinger ; translated by John Sibbald.

  • Griesinger, Wilhelm, 1817-1868.
Date:
1867
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An introductory lecture read at the opening of the clinique for nervous and mental diseases in the Royal Charité in Berlin, 1st May, 1866 / by Professor W. Griesinger ; translated by John Sibbald. 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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    vented, by the augdsh of feeling which was excited merely by tliis sensation in tiie forehead. Analogous morbid feelings arise occasionally from the pelvic organs, very probably, though not with absolute certainty, from the genital organs, and directly excite an all-pervading morbid condition of the mind. In order not to prejudge the matter, the name of dysthjmia hypogastrica may be provisionally given to the affection. It may be that this form in its -characteristic phase is almost peculiar to females. A girl of twenty years of age, who was here last winter, could express herself often and clearly upon these conditions. The periodical suffering began with burning and distress in the hypo- gastric region; then it mounted up warm,^* and suddenly struck into the head. Then the distress overtook her, and it was as if she were compelled to have difficulties in her mind about everything, and, indeed, disagreeable thoughts, as if she were forced to set everything in opposition to God,^' and as if she had more liking for the devil. She had then a much greater number of thoughts than usual, and all that she thinks she can imagine real when she shuts her eyes she can see everything before her that she thinks about, and whatever place she thinks about she imagines that she herself is there. Her head is then heavy and confused, she goes about weeping and waihng, and complains to every one of her dis- tress. This condition may last for eight days or more. If the sen- sation does not come the thoughts stay away ; the distress is away, and she is lively and rational. She has habitually a feeling of emptiness about the pubic region, and has also now and then mas- turbated, notwithstanding which the non-explosive aura may certainly be central, for she has already had repeated attacks of vertigo, and on one occasion she fell from her chair—scarcely mistakable indi- cations of an epileptic condition. In one person about whom I was lately consulted the aura ex- ploded, not, however, in an epileptic seizure, but in terrible vio- lence. Tiie man, a brandy drinker, lay in a room with his five children, who were that morning all asleep. It came into his mind that he must then destroy the children, but how could it be most conveniently done? He narrates, It rose into my head like foam; it went through the chamber like a shot, or like a strong gust of wind; a strong odour of marjoram filled the chamber and took away my senses; my thoughts vaiiisheil, so that I sank down. He soon rose again, however, seized an axe and hacked right and left among the children, three of whom fell victims to his violence. If nothing else were known than the deed and these details furnished by himself, the epileptic might almost with certainty be recognised; but the medical investigation revealed actual and well-dcHned epi- leptic attacks. Agam, there are insane persons with very extensive lesions of