THE 
MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 
Neo Series. 
Vou. VI.] NOVEMBER, 1828. [ No. 35. 
INSANITY.* 
So frightful a thing to contemplate is insanity, that most men sedu- 
lously turn from the subject. It is left almost wholly to professional or 
philosophical handling. Ignorance is more generally spread on this 
tremendous malady than on any cther topic within the circle of human 
_ inquiry. Scarcely any body without the pale of the profession ventures 
to exercise his understanding, or hazard a judgment on the causes, work- 
ings, treatment, or cure. The doctor has thus an undisputed monopoly 
of the matter, and must be blindly trusted. 1t is an act of presumption 
to question his claims to intuitive superiority. So entirely at a loss, 
indeed, are the embarrassed connexions of the insane—so alarmed—so 
utterly incapable of directing, that the first impulse is to remoye the 
afflicted individual from his home, and place him under the superin- 
tendence and dominion of strangers. Receptacles for numbers are thus 
in demand—for few can command the exclusive services of professional: 
men—and the reception of the insane is thus a trade distinct for the most 
part from the cure; and the discipline adopted becomes almost, nay, 
quite irresistibly, not what is best calculated to cure, but what will give 
the least trouble, and be the least cost. Force and violence are the cheap- 
est expedients ; and severity, and augmenting severity, is the sure con-~ 
_ sequence. For a while these are successfully concealed ; but, by degrees, 
they get wind. Harrowing tales rouse our indignation—our sympathies 
_ kindle—the victim must be rescued. The plea of necessity, which of 
course is vehemently urged, then gets thoroughly sifted. Inquiry soon 
shews that cruelty is more convenient for the keeper than serviceable 
to the sufferer. A little farther scrutiny as irresistibly proves that cruelty 
exasperates and confirms the malady ; and we are thus led, step by step, 
to inquire into the causes of madness—convinced that, if these are acces- 
sible—if these can be once defined, we are, in proportion, likely to dis- 
cover the cure, or at least shall be better able to judge, with some intelli-~ 
_ aa of the applicability of the remedies proposed. The doctor, though 
le must still be the agent and manager, will no longer be the despotic 
controller ; he will no longer be able to play the quack, and silence 
remonstrance by authority. The general grounds and modes of treat- 
ment will be understood by the laity; and the practitioner must no 
longer lay his account upon confiding ignorance, or consult his sole con; 
= Commentaries on Insanity, by Geo. M. Burrowes, M.D. 
M.M. New Series.—Vou. VI. No. 35. 3 M 
