[FOR THE USE OF MEMBERS. | 
Ropal Jnstitution of Great Britain. 
1854. 
WEEKLY EVENING MERTING, 
Friday, February 17. 
Right Hon. Baron Parxg, Vice-President, in the Chair. 
Joun Conotiy, M.D., D.C.L. 
On the Characters of Insanity. 
However various the forms of Insanity appear to the inexperienced 
visitor of an Asylum, it is found that in every case there is either 
Mania or Melancholia, only varying in degree and manifestation. 
There is either excitement or depression, more or less continued, and 
more or less influencing the mental faculties. It may perhaps be 
strictly said that all the forms of mental disorder are dependent on 
one of three states of the Nervous System,— a state of increased, or 
a state of diminished, or a state of unequal excitement of that system. 
There is almost always accompanying disorder of some of the bodily 
functions ; of the circulation, which is so implicated with the nervous 
system ; and of digestion and assimilation; and of the function by 
which animal heat is preserved and regulated. Sleep is always im- 
perfect. The improvement of the bodily health usually precedes 
mental recovery. Recent, or chronic mania, or recent or chronic 
melancholia, may appear in paroxysms, or may persist without inter- 
vals of mitigation. They may appear alternately. The delusions 
usually accompanying the malady may appear in the paroxysms only, 
or remain permanently even in the intervals. All other forms of 
Insanity appear to be mere varieties, or complications, or results. 
Mania is usually ushered in by a change in the ordinary habits of 
life. Impatience in business, irritability, fits of silent thought, in- 
attention to appearances, disregard of hours, —characterise inci- 
pient disorder. Irregularity as to diet, and restless nights, and a 
general alteration of countenance and manner are observed. The 
face and figure undergo unfavourable change ; the manners become 
morose ; innumerable letters are written, chiefly on public affairs. 
The patient thinks he is accused of crimes, and prepares to resist 
going to prison; or he escapes, and wanders over the country; or 
rushes into the streets and declaims loudly, or commits actions of 
violence. In Melancholia the patient often thinks himself reduced to 
poverty, and without hope in this world or the next; and expresses 
an intention to destroy himself, and attempts to do so. Women are 
among the most frequent subjects of melancholia; they become in- 
No. 18. EE 
