OBSERVATIONS
ON
MADNESS, &c. &c.
CHAPTER I.
DEFINITION.
There is no word in the English language more deserving of a precise definition than madness: and if those who have treated on this subject have been so unfortunate as to disagree with each other, and consequently have left their readers to reconcile their discordant opinions; yet it must be confessed that considerable pains have been bestowed, to convey a clear and accurate explanation of this term. Although this contrariety of sentiment has prevailed concerning the precise meaning of the word madness, medical practitioners have been sufficiently reconciled as to the thing itself: so that when they have seen an insane person, however opposite their definitions, they have readily coincided that the patient was mad.
From this it would appear that the thing itself, is, generally speaking, sufficiently plain and intelligible; but that the term which represents the thing is obscure. Perhaps, we might be somewhat assisted, by tracing back this word, in order to discover its original meaning, and shewing from its import the cause of its imposition.
If the reader, as is now the custom, should turn to Johnson’s Dictionary for the meaning and etymology of this word, he will find that the Doctor has derived it both from the Anglo-Saxon ʓemaaძ and the Italian matto; but without giving any meaning as the cause of its employment. The word is originally Gothic, and meant anger, rage,