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Artificial Insanity, chiefly in relation to Mental Pathology

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 February 2018

Daniel Hack Tuke
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Extract

It will not, I think, be disputed that, in an investigation into the nature or pathology of any disease, some light may be thrown upon it by producing a similar disease artificially. If we ascertain how we can produce it, and what are the fewest conditions required for its presence, we have gained an important step in the inquiry. and if, aving learned how to cause certain symptoms, we can carefully examine the state of the bodily organs when these symptoms have supervened, and compare it with their condition previously, we undoubtedly have an opportunity of acquiring knowledge which no one accustomed to such investigations will despise. If, by adding caustic ammonia to the jugular vein of a living sheep, the lining membrane is afterwards found to be studded with pink fibrin, we see at once that a fact has been ascertained of great interest in the study of the adherent clot of phlebitis. The same may be said of rheumatic endocarditis, if deposits can be produced upon the valves of the heart by injecting a known substance into the blood of an animal. I might refer to other examples, but these will suffice to illustrate my first position.

Type
Part I.—Original Articles
Information
Journal of Mental Science , Volume 11 , Issue 53 , April 1865 , pp. 56 - 66
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1865 

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References

∗ That is, that they are in no way dne to animal magnetism or the influence of one metal more than another. Whether there are other phenomena classed under the term “mesmerism” which cannot be explained on Mr. Braid's theory, is a question into which it is not necessary now to enter. I do not myself go further than he did. The subject is, however, well worthy of patient investigation. Superficial and prejudicial writers abound on both sides. The opposite theories are well represented by Cu vier and Braid respectively, the former holding that “the effects obtained on persons ignorant of the agency, and upon individuals whom the operation itself has deprived of consciousness [?], and those which animals present, do not permit us to doubt that the proximity of two animated bodies in certain positions, combined with certain movements, have a real effect, independently of all participation of the fancy. It appears also clear that these effects arise from some communication which is established between their nervous systems” (‘Anatomie Comparée,’ t. ii). The latter (Mr. B.) holding that “the phenomena are induced solely by an impression made on the nervous centres by the physical and psychical condition of the patient, irrespective of any agency proceeding from, or excited into action by, another” (‘On Hypnotism,’ 1813). Dr. Prichard is one of the few neutral writers who write as if they really wished to arrive at the truth, and do not merely give us their preconceived notions.Google Scholar

∗ I ought to make the same remark in reference to an article in the ‘Zoist’ by Dr. Elliotson, written about twenty years ago, which I recently had an opportunity of reading. In this paper, Dr. E. records the effects of suggestion in several cases—the effects produced illustrating, in the clearest manner, many of the delusions of the insane. Among these were the patient fancying herself glass, and fearing to be broken; fancying herself dead; the Queen of Sheba; that she was no larger than a seed, and would be pecked up; that a leg of mutton was hanging from her nose, &c.Google Scholar

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