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

  • Amariah Brigham
Date:
1836
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    78/98 (page 72)
    that Broussais and others say, that in such cases, the disorder of the stomach is the primary atFection, 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 hypochon¬ driasis, 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 nostalg^ia, 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 re-action from the disease of the stomach produces insanity; but to me, it appears more rational to suppose, that the irritation of the brain, produced by the moral cause, not only caused the disorder of the digestive organs, but by its continu¬ ance, increased the disease of the brain to such degree as to cause mental derangement ,* just as we see a blow on the head produce at first only slight sickness of the stomach and vomiting, but followed by violent delirium. From the cases which Broussais has given, it evidently appears that slight irritation of the brain from mental or other causes, gives rise to derangement of the stomach, and produces the ordinary symptoms of dyspepsia.* Mr Abernethy refers to cases somewhat similar; but his peculiar and extravagant notion, of the vast influence of the stomach in the animal economy, causes him to overlook that of other organs. He says, however, “ there is no hurt of the head that does not affect the digestive organsbut adds, “ if these are not attended to, people will go into a complete state of hypochondriasis, and there¬ fore, I am sure the recovery of the functions of the brain mainly depends upon the digestive organs.”']’ That it is important to attend to the digestive organs, in injuries of the head, or of any other part of the body, I have no doubt; but I cannot believe that it is as important as to attend to the diseased organ itself. No one rule, relating to the cure of disease, is more important, than that which teaches, to let a diseased organ rest. If, therefore, the brain is injured by a blow, or becomes irritated by disease, or excited by passion or mental anxiety, it shorJd be permitted to remain in a quiet state. I have already * Broussais de 1' Irritation et de la Folie. t Lectures on Anatomy, Surgeiy, and Pathology, vol. ii, , ..