426 DISEASES CLASS IV. 2. 3. 8. 



in accurate language on subjects, which he had been accustomed 

 to think upon; and yet did not know that he had rung the bell 

 by his fire-side in ope minute afterwards; nor could then recollect 

 the object he had wanted, when his servant came. 



Similar to this is the difficulty which old people experience in 

 learning new bodily movements, that is, in associating new mus- 

 cular actions, as in learning a new trade or manufacture. The 

 trains of movements, which obey volition, are the last which we 

 acquire; and the first which are dissociated. 



The symbols most in use, with which we have associated ideas, 

 are those of visible and of audible language. It is curious to ob- 

 serve in the instruction of young people, that some remember 

 written language the best, and others vocal language. The same 

 thing sometimes occurs in aged people, that is, that some lose 

 the ideas associated with sounds soonest, and others those asso- 

 ciated with letters. See recollectionis jactura, Class III. 2. 2. 1. 

 and Tarditas paralytica above. 



The following curious account of this defect of association of 

 ideas with audible but not with visible symbols was sent me by 

 Dr. Darwin of Shrewsbury. 



" The case of an old man lately occurred to me, who was su- 

 perannuated; his hearing and vision were perfect, but he could 

 only call up a train of ideas from the latter. When he was told 

 it was nine o'clock, and time for him to eat his breakfast, he re- 

 peated the words distinctly but without understanding them. 

 His servant put a watch into his hand. c Why, William, have 

 not I my breakfast, for it is just nine o'clock?' he would say with 

 expression, that shewed he felt what he said. 



" On almost every occasion his servants conversed with him 

 by visible objects although his hearing was perfect; and when 

 this kind of communication was used, he did not appear impaired- 

 in his intellects. This state came on from a stroke of the palsy; 

 and till he and his attendants used this kind of language he was 

 quite childish." 



