1870.] On Insanity. 165 



as a preservative against the foot-rot. We (Mr. Lukis and his sons) 

 have obtained about a dozen from these shepherds." — Fred. C. Lukis. 

 Who or what this ancient people were who have left behind 

 them their cromlechs and circles, Menhirs and tumuli, whether 

 they are the same people who used these stone implements, yet 

 remains undecided ; but considering the remarkable results which 

 have already been arrived at from archaeological investigation, 

 which, as far as the examination of pre-historic vestiges, dates only 

 from the commencement of the present century, we may be sure 

 that approximate, if not certain, conclusions will be arrived at 

 sooner or later, especially when that important branch of ethnology, 

 namely, craniology, shall have been fully developed by the successors 

 of Ketzius. 



II. ON INSANITY. 

 By Dr. P. Martin Duncan, F.E.S., &c. 



It is very remarkable how long a time it takes to disabuse public 

 opinion of ideas which are founded upon the slightest evidence. 

 The pertinacity with which such ideas are held generally originates 

 in there being some palpable truth connected with them that hides 

 some very unpalatable errors. Such a truth is all the more secretive 

 when it refers to things which are to the credit of humanity, in 

 contradistinction to those which mankind willingly forget as uncom- 

 fortable subjects. Thus there are some very general ideas current 

 that the human race is advancing in mental power, that the diseases 

 of the mind are not increasing, and that the Lunatic Asylum system 

 is highly satisfactory on account of the cures perfected under it, — 

 which have their origin in partial truths that have been carefully 

 fostered, while the errors which make many inquirers demur have 

 been shut up as social skeletons in the national closet. 



The spread of literature and the increased facilities for national 

 intercourse, the rarity of public exhibitions of the insane, and the 

 acknowledged comforts and expensive surroundings of the unfor- 

 tunates in asylums are patent truths which lead the superficial 

 public to believe in the advance of education, the progress of 

 that practical Christianity which is the test of civilization, and the 

 surpassing excellence and usefulness of the lunatic asylum. The 

 real truth sooner or later breaks upon men ; and just as the present 

 outcry for education is a proof of that want of it which has been 

 protested against for years, so a murmur of discontent often heard 

 of late is indicative of the commencement of the change in opinion, 

 which must progress, about the origin of insanity, its relation to 

 civilization, and the success of the present system of curation, which 

 is fenced about by commissioners, the law, a staff of well-educated 



VOL. VII. N 



