Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

, though not to the same extent. Digestion of such articles of food as the system requires would be perfect, though this might not be true as to many other articles, which are appropriate

e external world. What is stated above as true, in relation to certain parts of the system, woul

some assumed standard, below which we say that a diseased condition exists. It will, however, be observed, and hereafter more definitely appear, that this border-line is merely one of assumption. No definite standard can be applied to all persons, and a condit

persons, as to those physical and mental conditions which are inher

to the heat and cold with almost indifference, others are so delicate and sensitive as to be easily affected by such influences; while the muscles of some are susceptible of making the most delicate and difficult movements in all mechanical operations, with very little training or education, those of othe

rger degree of pleasure in physical activity at one time than at another; they may be conscious of more or less painful sensations, experience a measure o

e of health. There may exist a condition of over-activity, or of under-activity, in any or all portions of the body, and from the operation of causes, the nature of which we are entirely ignorant, and concerning which pers

le some apprehend any thing a little abstruse with great difficulty, or fail to do so at all, others understand it with a readiness which we are accustomed to call intuition; while many occ

the-way things just as naturally as others would do the same things in such a manner as to attract no attention. Some persons see, hear, taste, touch, and smell so much more quickly

tate of so-called health. Musical sounds are more delicate and pleasing; harsh and rough sounds are more harsh and rough; certain articles of food produce a keener sense of relis

her conditions, with sentiments which would at other times produce no such effect. They sometimes feel that the world and its possessions and pleasures are so great and grand that they can never leave them, and the thought of doing so causes the keenest an

d think little or nothing of, turn them into a passion of excitement, which can hardly be controlled for the time being. In other states they may long to weep, or to be in

ible. Nearly every one, while standing on a high cliff or house-top, has felt

nd suffer and at times even to die for them, if need be, while at other times all these sentiments fade away,

only partial brain-activity. At other times the brain acts with the greatest freedom; occurrences which took place long years before, and which, perhaps, have not been thought of since, come back with all the freshness of yesterday. Thoughts come rapidly. Keen flashes of wit, bright scintillations of thought, for

produced in some manner in these varied and delicate structures. It may be from varying states which are constantly occurring in the blood, in the processes of reception and elimination; or from those delicate chemical operations which must be

ntal systems, the tendencies to which are inherited, and more

herited condition, but it may be produced, or become greatly increased by caus

s may serve to mak

and vigorous exercise, lifts, or makes a strong effort to lift, a heavy weight, if th

effort the individual can make toward controlling this irregularity of movement, is insufficient, and t

ositive injury, to some extent, in the nerve filaments of the muscles which have been so unusually exercised. The degree of effect will

ondition, and ultimately the nerve would cease to respond to

nd to the will power. There results spasmodic and irregular movements in the arm, and more especially in the fingers, indicating that some morbid condition of the median nerve has been produced. If the case is neglected, and the exciting causes continue in operation, after awhile the nerve will become less

nt, from the altered character of the blood, as to render it more or less unstable in some portion. One arm or one leg, or a hand, or some of the muscles of the face or neck, cannot be kept long at rest by a

he elemental tissue of the nerve, as to injure its power of activity so far as it is under the control of the will. T

h, consequently, are located in the muscular system. If, now, we pass from these portions of the nervous system up to its grand cen

otracted, he becomes conscious of what is called mental fatigue. The brain refuses to respond to any calls which may be made upon it for further action, or partially refuses; it becomes confused and bewildered, and unsteady in its action; it is difficult to force it to further app

end on the condition of the brain during the time the effect continues, and its intensity. The two conditions of instability and pain may be less ma

n of functional power without lesion; probably the latter condition only, in the primary stages of the operation. Certain portions of the brain have been over-stimulated in action

ut little effort in any direction, be placed in splints, or be suspended in a sling so that there is little or no activity for a few weeks, more or less, there r

portion of the nervous system which c

lation in our process of re

ich it may be susceptible, but also in the mental operations. By no possible amount of training can the nerves of the arm in certain persons be educated to do the finer portions of mechanism, any more than can their brains be educated to continuous or concentrated thought on the solution of problems in the higher mathematics; that the broadest diversity as to strength and steadiness of ne

persons by the action of causes operating from without upon the nervous system, and that the resul

he function of simple motion in the hand and arm, up to the more complicated and less understood activities of the hemispheres of the brain. We have

ion in a large number of persons who become insane. Precisely in what it may consist during the earlier stages we may not be able to explain. There doubtless is no change which can be termed organic in either the nerve cell or any

nt, though in a latent state, and we have that peculiar organization which we term The Insane Diathesis. That is, we have a nervous system so sensitively constituted, and illy adjusted with its su

may become spasmodic and irregular in all degrees from slight aberrations, or excitement, up to incoherence and mental spasm; or from sligh

es it, and longs to throw off its burdens and cares, and leaves no effort untried to accomplish it; while another is so filled with joyous emotion, his brain is so excited in functional activity, that he can neither eat nor sleep, but ide

* (a short t

sadness; the

watch; thence

ghtness; and by

ss, whereon

all mou

is immediately concerned in thought is in what is termed a healthy state, that is, a condition in which its involuntary functions are normally performed and under the control of the will, then we have healthy mind; and, vice versa, when it varies from this condition, either from the effect of influences which have been in

to the avoidance of such courses of life, habits, and tendencies of society, as specially assist to develop and perpetuate this diathesis. It now becomes necessary to suggest and discuss, more or less fully, some of the influences which are

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