Remarks on the influence of mental cultivation and mental excitement upon health / [Amariah Brigham].

  • Amariah Brigham
Date:
1844
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the influence of mental cultivation and mental excitement upon health / [Amariah Brigham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    130/166 (page 124)
    12i supported by numerous observers. Who is there that has not felt the influence of bad news, or mental agitation, in destroying the appetite and deranging digestion, and thus producing dyspepsia for a short time?^^ Third, Insanity, or disease of the brain, is usually preceded by the symptoms of dyspepsia, and recovery from mental derangement is often marked by a return of these symptoms. During the paroxysm or continuance of insanity, the brain alone appears affected : but at other times, when the brain is relieved, the stomach is affected. I am aware that Broussais and others say, that in such cases the disorder of the stomach is the primary affec- tion, and is truly chronic inflammation of the stomach : which, after continuing a considerable time, stimulates the brain until madness is produced. But the same able observer says, that the insanity is preceded by long-continued hypochondriasis, and other nervous affections, which I suppose to arise from disease of the brain, and not of the stomach, as he affirms. He refers to instances of melancholy, from nostalgia, unrequited love, loss of fortune, mortified pride, &c. but which did not amount to insanity until after long- continued disorder of the stomach. He supposes that in such cases the violence of the reaction from the [01 I once experienced the truth of this in a very remarkable manner. One day when about to sit down to dinner, with an appe- tite whetted by five or six hours hard exercise, a letter was put into my hands announcing the death of a friend to whom I felt strongly attached. The consequence was, an instantaneous loss of appetite. Which continued for two or three days—R. M.]