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1. English Retrospect (Asylum Reports.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Extract

Royal Edinburgh Asylum.—Many passages of interest occur in Dr. Clouston's report. One refers to feeding in cases of maniacal exhaustion, and he insists on the value of milk. “The greater my experience becomes I tend more to substitute milk for stimulants. I don't undervalue the latter in suitable cases; but in the very acute cases, both of depression and maniacal exaltation, where the disordered working of the brain tends rapidly to exhaust the strength, I rely more and more on milk and eggs made into custards. One such case this year got eight pints of milk and sixteen eggs every day for three months, and under this treatment recovered. I question whether he would have done so under any other. He was almost dead on admission, acutely delirious, absolutely sleepless, and very nearly pulseless.” The following passage bears out Dr. Urquhart's paper in the present number of the Journal:—“I am a great believer in the good effects of bright colours on the mentally depressed in this dull Scotch climate of ours [we hope this does not apply to the month in which the Association is to meet in Glasgow], and look on the present high art craze for dull olive greens as being a simple device of the Evil One, who loves darkness rather than light.” Dr. Clouston has an interesting reference to the International Medical Congress, and thinks its influence on the treatment of the insane will do good. He repels the notion that Scotch lunatics are of a milder type than those of other countries, and hence any success obtained in calming the excited is attributed to the course pursued. The best proof of this is the contrast between the refractory wards at Morningside twenty years ago and now. Limited space prevents our making further extracts. Dr. Clouston's reports are always pleasant and instructive reading.

Type
Part III.—Psychological Retrospect
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1882 

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