TRANSACTIONS OF SECTION H. 



763 



from which it may be found— (1) That religion as a factor in the causation of 

 insanity is confined to the Protestant population ; Roman Catholics are not much 

 affected by it. (2) That general paralysis of the insane is practically unknown 

 in the rural communities of Ulster. It is in Belfast we find it. (3) In Co. 

 Armagh religion as a cause falls into the background. This is probably owing to 

 the fact that the settlement was originally English, and hence not so intense in 

 religion as the neighbouring Scotch people. (4) Paradoxical though it be, that in 

 Belfast insanity increases in proportion as trade prospers — while the contrary 

 holds good of the country districts. The explanation seems to be that increased 

 wages in the city leads to increased indulgence in drink and other vices ; whereas 

 in^ the country the burden of poverty, always felt in some degree, unhinges the 

 mind when times are specially bad. 



It may be added that one of the main preventible causes of insanity in Ulster 

 is the prevailing lack of amusements and recreations. Of an intensely religious 

 nature by heredity, the Ulsterman has no counterbalancing aptitudes which might 

 rectify abnormal brain reactions. 



I. Return of Admissions of Patients to the District Lunatic Asylums named, due 

 to ' Religious Excitement ' during the years 1890 to 1900 inclusive. 



Observations. 

 Percentage of Religious Excitement Cases on tlie Total Admitnons. 



(1) In the four Asylums 



(2) In All Ireland 



(3) In Belfast and Antrim 



(4) In Armagh 



3-7 

 1-8 

 5-2 



2-2 



Population 



Four Counties 

 All Ireland . 

 Belfast City . 



1891 

 990,485 

 4,704,750 

 255,922 



1901 

 1,020,142 

 4,456,546 

 348.876 



