CLASS III. 1. 2. OF VOLITION 03 



and those, whose education has been humble, to greater despon- 

 dency. Where the delirious idea, above described, produces 

 pleasurable sensations, as in personal vanity or religious entku- 

 siasm; it is almost a pity to snatch them from their fool's para- 

 dise, and reduce them again to the common lot of humanity; lest 

 they should complain of their cure, like the patient described in 

 Horace, 



' Pol ! me occidistis, amici, 



Non servastis, ait, cui sic extorta voluplas, 

 Et demptus per vim mentis graiissimus error 1 



As insanities arise from excess of action of the sensorial power 

 of volition, this excess of action may be owing either to the in- 

 crease of motive or stimulus, or to an increased quantity or accu- 

 mulation of that sensorial power. And hence, though the greatest 

 number of insanities originate from increased motive to voluntary 

 action, as to avoid pain or to acquire pleasure; yet there appear 

 to be some, which have for their cause an accumulation of the 

 sensorial power of volition. 



Thus, those who have been accustomed to perpetual exer- 

 tions of volition in carrying on some extensive employment er pro- 

 fession during the first half of their lives, are liable to become 

 melancholy, and even to destroy themselves, if they suddenly 

 leave off their very active and anxious exertions, and retire to a 

 situation without employment, of which many instances have 

 occurred. This seems to originate from the pain occasioned by 

 the accumulation of the sensorial power of volition, which now 

 ceases to be expended for want of motive. The taedium vitae de- 

 scribed in No. X. of this genus of diseases affects indolent people, 

 who possess accumulated sensorial power, but want motive to ex- 

 cite it into such actions of the muscles or ideas, as might in part 

 expend it. 



The accumulation of sensorial power from the defect of accus- 

 tomed actions seems to give rise to some inordinate muscular mo- 

 tions, as the incessant jumping of a squirrel confined in a cage, 

 and some of the motions of children confined too long in schools, 

 which are called tricks. See Class III. 1. 1. 1. and IV. 1.3.2. 

 And I am inclined to think, that these insanities, which are term- 

 ed melancholy, where no previous misfortune has occurred, as in 

 grief or disappointed love, but where the patient sits perpetually 

 brooding over some painful idea, which was not previously ex- 

 cited by any external event, as in the taedium vita3, are in general 

 occasioned by accumulations of sensorial power; and the violent 

 insanities to increase of motive; that is, to those pains or want of 

 pleasure, which excite aversion or desire. 



