Further report of the Commissioners in Lunacy, to the Lord Chancellor : presented to both houses of Parliament by command of her majesty.

  • Great Britain. Lunacy Commission.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Further report of the Commissioners in Lunacy, to the Lord Chancellor : presented to both houses of Parliament by command of her majesty. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.

    463/526 (page 449)
    means are adopted; but I rely much more upon the moral treat- ment, such as cheerful society, occupation, and amusements, and, of course, proper attention to the digestive organs. Remedies used in Cases of Melancholia at the Survey County Asylum, hy Sir Alexander Morison, 31.D. Few, recent cases of this description have been sent to this Asylum, owing- to the cause stated in regard to recent cases of mania. Laxatives, sedatives, tonics, warm baths, shower baths, and blisters, have been chiefly employed. The most numerous cases are those of dementia, in a more or less advanced stage; the object in them lias been to improve the general health. Warm baths, shower baths, and blisters, have been occasionally employed. In all cases where practicable, recourse is had to occupation, useful or agreeable. As little restraint is employed as is deemed to be consistent with the safety of the patient and of others, and this is continued for as short time as possible. Remedies used in Cases of Melancholia at the Kent County Lunatic Asylum, by Mr. Poynder (late Medical Superintendent). In the treatment of melancholia the same general principles hold [as iii mania]; but our attention should also be directed to the state of the digestive organs, the functions of which are often interrupted. Mild mercurials, together with tonics and aperients, are frequently useful. . The warm bath is also serviceable in this form of the malady. I have never seen any material benefit derived from setons or issues; the pain and inconvenience they occasion are not compensated for by any adequate advantage. Remedies used in Cases of Melancholia at Oidton House, by Dr. Baken-ell. I am not aware of any essential difference being necessary in this form of insanity. The bowels are usually sluggish, and re- quire particularly attending to, but drastic purgatives should be avoided, and generally all remedies of an exhausting and irritating character. The warm bath seems calculated to be beneficial, al- though I cannot say that my experience would attach any par- ticular and specific value to it. Out-door exercise, agreeable walks and drives, and cheerful society, are particularly desirable.