Literary Notices. ix 



Melancholia. 1 



In an interesting article by the Assistant Superintendent of the 

 Carlisle Asylum, much statistical information is conveniently given. 



In the English asylums it appears that there are, on the average, 

 two cases of mania to one of melancholia. In passing it is noted that 

 short strikes produce a decrease in insanity, perhaps because of dimin- 

 ution of intemperance and the bracing effect of the excitement ; on 

 the other hand a prolonged depression of trade causes an increase of 

 insanity. 



Additional (though unnecessary) proof is adduced to show that 

 melancholia is more common among women than men. Almost 

 58 per cent, of all cases of melancholia recovered. Over 65 per 

 cent, of all cases evinced suicidal tendency. The melancholia was 

 associated with marked physical disease in over 28 per cent, of the 

 cases, phthisis being the most common. 



Mental Perversions in Children. 2 



In the very instructive paper quoted we find a collection of much 

 that has been written upon this subject with useful additions. The 

 fact that " from puberty, brilliant talents, astonishing facility of re- 

 ceiving and communicating ideas often appear suddenly, especially in 

 females, followed by mediocrity, disappointment and supineness," as 

 stated by Parkman, throws great responsibility upon the teacher. 



It is often within the power of a careful parent, teacher or friend 

 to determine whether the scale shall drop on the side of morbid senti- 

 mentality introspective and neurotic melancholia, ending in a pervert- 

 ed or dangerous life or on the side of judiciously controlled enthusiasm 

 and high attainment. Teachers must not forget that children of the 

 same age physically are not coordinate mentally, nor that the various 

 faculties are not always developed in the same order. A case has fall- 

 en under the present reviewer's notice where the child of intelligent 

 parents, born with imperfect physical development and head distorted 

 during parturition, was found to be far inferior to others of the family 

 in mental grasp for several years and was well nigh permanently in- 

 jured by injudicious forcing, in which she was continually made con- 

 scious of the disparity between herself and her brothers. A change 



^arquharson, W. F. On Melancholia: An Analysis of 730 consecutive 

 cases, fount. Med. Science, XL, 168, Jan., 1894. 



• 2 Alexander, Harriet C. B. Insanity in Children. Alienist and Neurol- 

 ogist, XV, 1. 



