Class III. i. 2. OF VOLITION. 301 



tends infane people, which is neverthelefs generally only a fymp- 

 tom of the debility owing to the too great expenditure of fenfo- 

 rial power ; or of the paucity of its production, as in irritative, 

 or infenfitive inirritated fever. See Clafs III. 1. 1. 



But neverthelefs where the quick pulfe is permanent, it fhews 

 the prefence of fever ; and as the madnefs then generally arifes 

 from the difagreeable fenfations attending the fever, it is fo iar 

 a good fymptom ; becauie when the fever is cured, or ceafes 

 fpontaneouily, the infanity molt frequently vaniihcs at the fame 

 time. t 



The ftimulus of fo much volition fupports infane people un- 

 der variety of hard {hips, and contributes to the cure of difeafes 

 from debility, as fometimes occurs towards the end of fevers. 

 See Seel:. XXXIV. 2. 5* And, on the fame account, they bear 

 large doles of medicines to procure any operation on them ; as 

 emetics, and cathartics, which, before they produce their effect 

 in inverting the motions of the ftomach in vomiting, or of the 

 abforbents of the bowels in purging, mult firft weaken the natur- 

 al actions of thofe organs, as {hewn in Sect. XXXV. 1. 13. 



From thefe confiderations it appears, that the indications of 

 cure mult confift in removing the caufe of the pain, whether it 

 arifes from a delirious idea, or from a real fact, or from bodily 

 difeafe - 9 or fecondly, if this cannot be done, by relieving the 

 pain in confequence of fuch idea or difeafe. The firft is fome- 

 times effected by prefenting frequently in a day contrary ideas 

 to (hew the fallacy, or the too great eitimation, of the painful 

 ideas. 2dly. By change of place, and thus prefenting the ftim- 

 ulus of new objects, as a long journey. 3dly. By producing 

 forgetfulnefs of the idea or object, which cauies their pain ; by 

 removing all things which recal it to their minds ; and avoiding 

 all converfation on fimilar fubjects. For I fuppofe no diieafe 

 of the mind is fo perfectly cured by other means as by forget- 

 fulnefs. 



Secondly, the pain in confequence of the ideas or bodily dif- 

 eafes above defer ibed is to be removed, firft, by evacuations, as 

 venefettion, emetics, and cathartics ; and then by large dofes 

 of opium, or by the -vertigo occafioned by a circulating fwing, or 

 by a fea-voyage, which, as they afreet the organs of fenfe as well 

 as evacuate the ftomach, may contribute to anfwer both indica- 

 tions of cure. 



Where maniacs are outrageous, there can be no doubt but co- 

 ercion is necefTary 3 which may be done by means of a itrait 

 waiftcoat ; which difarms them without hurting them ; and by 

 tying a handkerchief round their ankles to prevent their efcape. 

 In others there can be no doubt, but that confinement retards 



rather 



