Observations on Insanity: With Practical Remarks on the Disease and an Account of the Morbid Appearances on Dissection
Paperback:
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
ISBN 10: 1536917850
ISBN 13: 978-1536917857
Hardcover:
Publisher: Forgotten Books
ISBN 10: 0331754614
ISBN 13: 978-0331754612
But let us imagine a disease of ideas. In what manner are we to effect a cure? To this subtle spirit the doctor can apply no medicines. But though so refined as to elude the force of material remedies, some may however think that it may be reasoned with. The good effects which have resulted from exhibiting logic as a remedy for madness, must be sufficiently known to every one who has conversed with insane persons, and must be considered as time very judiciously employed: speaking more gravely, it will readily be acknowledged, by persons acquainted with this disease, that if insanity be a disease of ideas, we possess no corporeal remedies for it: and that to endeavour to convince madmen of their errors, by reasoning, is folly in those who attempt it, since there is always in madness the firmest conviction of the truth of what is false, and which the clearest and most circumstantial evidence cannot remove.
"Practitioners in general have scanty opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of the symptoms of insanity, that a work of this nature, from a person who has many instances of the disease always before his eyes, must be highly acceptable to the profession....The collection of cases, and the account of dissections, which seem to be accurately drawn up, form the most valuable part of this work....Mr. Haslam thinks that vomiting is useless, and that purgatives are the remedies best adapted to the cure of insanity." - The Monthly Review
"Dr. Haslam was long and justly celebrated as a physician in cases of insanity, and a man otherwise of great attainments, information, and literary tastes. His scientific publications were always held in high esteem." -Literary Gazette
"As reviewer, critic, epigrammatist, and author of witty and comic papers, Dr. Haslam had few superiors; and his extensive knowledge of the world, and what is called life, gave him a ready hand for almost every subject." -The Living Age