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.

    58/166 (page 52)
    A similar case of enlargement of the head from dropsy, accompanied by great power of memory, is related by Dr. Monro, in the second volume of the Medical Transactions of the London College of Phy- sicians; and cases like the following are not rare in medical books, or in practice. L. H., aged 14, had always appeared in delicate health, without having any serious disease. He exhibited more maturity of understanding than is common at his age, and pre- ferred study to the usual amusements of children. At the age of 13, he had scrofulous swellings, then disease of the head, and finally convulsions, of which he died. On opening his body, the brain was found very large; its vessels turgid with blood.^i In the substance of the brain was found a small tumour of the size of a wallnut, and of a red colour. Mental application did not, in this case, probably produce the disease; but the disease itself, by increasing the determination of blood to the brain, caused the early comparative maturity of un- derstanding. I have referred to it to show that disease, and constant excitement of the mind, in childhood, have similar effects upon the brain, and each may unfit it for the long continuance of its appropriate functions. I have repeatedly seen cases very similar to the above, as to the symptoms, in connection with scrofu- lous diseases, and premature development of the shrewd in their remarks, and ofifended at being; treated as children. The expression of their countenance is curious.—There is a know, ingf and antiquated look about it, which contrasts oddly with their infantile frame.—U. M.]