Practical observations and suggestions on the treatment of mental affections / [Joseph Seaton].

  • Seaton, Joseph
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical observations and suggestions on the treatment of mental affections / [Joseph Seaton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, &c. Some of the greatest difficulties which oppose themselves to the cure of Insanity, arise from the indiscreet steps which aro too frequently taken by the friends of a patient upon first discovering his malady ; and this is to be attributed, in a great measure, to the popular, but most mischievous error, of supposing the different forms of Insanity to be merely degrees of the same disease, instead of regarding them rather in the nature of different diseases. Hence the common notion appears to be, that if an insane patient is not a positive Maniac, it is only because his disease has not yet arrived at the maniacal point; at which point, however, it is sup¬ posed that at any moment it may arrive. The consequence is, that it happens almost invariably, upon a person being visited by this calamity, —no matter in what form,—that the first and all-absorbing idea which possesses the minds of those around him is, the consideration of how they may most effectually prevent him from doing them, or himself, injury; and forthwith he is consigned to a Lunatic Asylum :—yet in all proba¬ bility he has not committtd a single act indicating a disposition to injure one or the other. But the friends will attempt to justify the step taken, by saying, “ Why, although he has not yet shown a disposition to injure himself or others, one cannot tell what he may do; and if anything should happen, consider the responsibility I ” Having satisfied their fears, by securing the person of the patient, they now begin to think what can be done to bring about his recovery : but, by this time, the probability of such a result has become greatly diminished :—It is most important to gain the patient’s confidence :—His friends have proclaimed to him the fact that they deem him mad—is it not natural that he should henceforward look upon them as enemies, and regard them with mistrust and hatred ?—He finds himself in a house the doors and windows of which are carefully secured;—he regards it as a prison, and those around him as jailers—is he likely to give his con*
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