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

  • Seaton, Joseph
Date:
1846
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    3/20
    PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS, &C. Some of the greatest difficulties which oppose themselves to the cure of Insanity, arise from the indiscreet steps which are 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 supposed 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 forth¬ with he is consigned to a Lunatic Asylum:—yet in all probability he has not committed 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!”