Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

by Henry Putnam Stearns

CHAPTER III.

INSANITY AND CIVILIZATION.

Information in reference to the character of the diseases which formerly existed among the aborigines of North America, or among uncivilized peoples of other countries, in the past, is both meagre and indefinite. Legends concerning widespread epidemics of some forms of disease, especially the yellow fever and small-pox, among those tribes which formerly lived on the territory which now constitutes New England, have been handed down, and there must have occurred cases of insanity, to a greater or less extent, among all savage nations, arising from injuries to some portion of the nervous system; but, for the most part, those conditions and experiences of life which appear to predispose or excite the nervous system into diseased action, were probably absent.

Those who were born with weakened or defective organizations, either physical or mental, would, under the exposed conditions and the rude experiences of uncivilized life, hardly attain to adult age, even if they were not intentionally left to perish, so that the vast majority of those who did arrive at those periods of life during which insanity generally manifests itself, would probably possess such nervous organizations as would be little liable to become insane.

Their modes of living, also, being for the most part in the open air, and without excessive labor or exertion, except on occasions, and during short periods; and living in comparative freedom concerning those uncertainties of business and property which exist so generally among some classes, and even nations, under the conditions of civilized life; having few needs, and those of such a nature as to be easily supplied, would all be unfavorable to the development of insanity.

Again, uncivilized persons have but little sensitiveness, and are easily satisfied in reference to that long range of sentiment and feeling which holds so large a sway, and wields so strong an influence, in the lives of their brethern and sisters in civilized life; and, moreover, experience few of the annoyances, disappointments, and vexations which result from the habits and customs of our forms of domestic and business conditions.

Yet it appears to be a humiliating admission to make, that, with all the increase of mental power and range of thought, with acquired power over the forces of nature, with ability to convert the hidden treasures and forces of nature, into the means of supplying wants and ministering to comfort, and, with the vast storehouse of mental wealth which comes into the possession of mankind through the influences of civilization, there should, somehow, necessarily come with them, greater liability to such a calamity as insanity. This is, however, but one of many evils which invariably come into existence under the changed relations and circumstances of life, not only while passing from the habits of uncivilized life to those of a high state of civilization, but especially while living in the latter condition.

It is exceedingly difficult to differentiate, and accurately state in few words, what is signified by either insanity or civilization. Both are terms, the general signification of which, for practical purposes, is supposed to be well enough understood, but when we are called upon to give a clear and at the same time a fully comprehensive definition of them, there is much difficulty in doing it.