General paralysis : a critical review of the literature of the subject, to which is appended an analysis of the case of John S. Blackburn, in which insanity was alleged as a means of defense / by D.A. Morse.
- Morse, D. A. (David Appleton), 1840-1891
- Date:
- [1874]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: General paralysis : a critical review of the literature of the subject, to which is appended an analysis of the case of John S. Blackburn, in which insanity was alleged as a means of defense / by D.A. Morse. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.
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![ficulty: liow can we distinguish between the perversity of pas- sion and disease? It is unfortunately demonstrated by experi- ence that some men who have acquired a reputation without blemish, under the influence of a violent passion, contradict all precedents and commit bad actions; this is a matter pertaining to justice, as a consideration of crime; but it happens oftener that those sudden falls, unforeseen, are the result of mental dis- ease ; and, as in this species of disease, there are frequently pre- cursory symptoms, avant couriers, as has very well remarked a celebrated English alienist. Dr. Winslow, in his remarkable work: On Obscure Diseases of the Brain and Mind. These are premonitory symptoms that it is necessary to seek out and put in evidence. In a great number of cases the task is easy, and the physician appointed promptly points out facts that fami- ly affection has overlooked, palliated or explained away. Noth- ing is more common than to hear the relatives say: ' We have noticed nothing of all this; we attached no importance to it; or we regarded these things as eccentricities; as the resitlt of disappointments; the idea of insanity was far from our minds.' Some say, 'you are dreaming; these peculiarities to which you call our attention have lasted a long time.' Some say, 'we weep at this conduct, we cannot comprehend it, we gave as a cause the age, disease, &c.' But there are cases that surprise the expert, for which even he is not prepared; it is then necessary for him to redouble his care in his examinations and researches. The indices which ought to guide are at first ideas of disease; in the greater part of cases, in effect where these transformations of character, of humor, of conduct, are marked, it is proper to suspect general ])aralysis; if the age is from 35 to 45 years, if there has been sexual exce&ses or intellectual, the presumption will be strong; '/ to this hereditary influence is united, the presumption acquires](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b22279167_0039.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
