Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

dest significance in its relation to society. Through its influences the peculiariti

through life, and within certain limits pertains alike to both the physiological and psychological nature. Not that this influence is such, or operates in such a manner, as to repeat itself in any stereotyped form, but rather in an endless variety of forms; while

eculiarities of the fingers and toes, of the hair, the shape of the head, the conformation of the face, and even particular portions of the face, remain for long periods in the same family and nations. The characteristic form of face and nose peculiar to the Jew, is an

ce or part of the body. A supernumerary finger or toe may be transmitted for at least four generations, though not to every member of the family, and the experiments of M

rn, gave birth to forty-six. A granddaughter of this woman gave birth to sixteen. The females of some families have all or nearly all daughters, who,

gnized as one of the most tr

ate, the morbific conditions of the atmosphere and soil, the influences of epidemic diseases, and the experiences of privation and hardships, is greater than w

d strong parents is to have a good chance of longevity; the energy of the constitution is the best buckler against the assault of destructive causes. Rush did not know an octogenarian whose family did not offer many examples of advanced old age. This observation, made by Sinclair, has acquired the force of an axiom, so common is it to meet with l

, that the phthisical, the cancerous, and the scrofulous diatheses are those well known to be more surely inherited, and that through these channels of diseased act

gination, memory, will, intellect, the sentiments and passions, may all be inherited. It is estimated that not less than forty per cent. of eminent poets have had illustrious rela

y to be inherited. It is thought that more than one half of the admissions to English asylums present evidence of an inherited taint. The same is probably true in reference to admissions to asylums in the United States, though i

ancholia, or acute dementia; and, vice versa, melancholia may appear as dementia. Information concerning the inheritance of general paralysis is not so definite; indeed, this form of insanity g

who are subject to periods of depression, and are accustomed to look upon the dark side of daily experiences; mothers, more often, perhaps, who have all their lives been "nervous" or irritable and easily excited, impress more or less profoundly these abnormal conditions upon th

be marked. They had four children, three of whom were affected mentally, one female and two males. The female was "uncommon" and "slightly weak-minded." One of the males was said to have been "weak-minded"; the other was "strange-looking," and odd in general conduct. He married a woman in goo

thesis, and yet at some period of life may be affected with insanity; or parents wit

ransmitted than that of dipsomania or alcoholism; nor are there any which

conditions. Sometimes it manifests itself in some of the forms of insanity; and again in uncontro

dren, a lad of seven years, had such a passion for liquor, that he would swallow at once half a tumbler of wine or whiskey unmixed with water, and could never be near alcohol in any of its forms without beg

ather had prematurely died as drunkards, and a little grandson, ex

chools, but was expelled from them all. Being forced to enlist in the army, he sold his uniform for drink, and only escaped a sentence of death on the

d died an idiot. The fourth, after various attempts at suicide, fell into the lowest grade of idiocy. The fifth, of passionate and misanthropic temper, broke off all relations with his family. His sister suffers from nervous disorder, w

came to the conclusion, that the effects of alcohol were of the most terrible nature, especially when used in boyhood and early manho

nd seventy-six: and of this total, twenty-three were still-born; one hundred and seven died from convulsions in infancy; thirty-seven died from other maladies; three committed suicide; ninety-six are epileptic; thirteen are congenital idiots; nineteen, maniacal or hypochondriacal; seven ha

ay be inherited, there are none which are more invariable in their effects, or

and this is equally true when the condition has not attained to that of actual disease, but simply a tendency toward it. And if such tendency should exist on both sides of the house, it

here are two channels through which partial relief may come; but that any substantial results may follow, it will become necessary that education concerning

n the case of parents, one of whom has physical or psychological tendencies toward disease, if the other has a healthy and vigorous constitution, and is endowed with mental qualities of an opposite character, these forces

with proclivities toward either of these diseases, in case the father is strong, may escape entirely or nearly so; this is very often true when the well p

er conducing toward the elimination of morbid diatheses, which otherwise would go on increasin

efore, there exists a probability that race-characteristics on the healthy side may prevail over those

ce or custom does there ensue so large effects in the way of happiness, prosperity, morality, and well-being to the human race, as from that of marriage; but the conditions of a large part of the beneficent results of this institution, depend upon freedom from certain tendencies to disease. Communities and states are composed of units, and their strength and stabili

der consequences to themselves, or to those who are to come after; they are borne on by the considerations of a present fancy or sentiment, and there is reason to fe

o often, to be the source of vast misery to parents, their children, and the community in which they may live; that the highest consideration for the present and future should lead to careful examination as to inherited characteristics on both sides, and of a selection which may tend toward elimination, rather than an increase, of these. It might be more fully understood that, generally, characteristics of body and mind of different qualities, within certain degrees of limit, contribute toward securing a well-ba

great truth fails to have taught its lesson, and the heedlessness of youth requires line upon line, and precept upon precept, as well as, ofttimes, the sternest of discipline. The future will doubtless be, in a large degree, as in

diatheses which are formed through the influence of alcohol and tobacco, or by the indulgence of t

avorable influences of heredity may be modif

of this information. The time will come when the importance of individuality in education will be so highly appreciated that it will be considered as essential in all recognized systems. Already there has been a beginning in this direction, in reference to certain classes of children. It is not many years since feeble-minded children were treated as most others

orbid character. These pyschic neuroses group themselves into certain forms, often at an early age, and require special care

Preco

ssionate

Timid

he W

he L

es of character which in the future will be almost certain to become morbid. The professional observations of most physicians who have large experience with diseases of the nervous s

result from hereditary influences, or have been acquired through the force of habit, must be accomplish

INEOUS M