Essay on the Classification of the Insane

by M. Allen

When I state to patients’ friends these matters, and the difference of these houses, I say decidedly, that in those cases to whom our attention, and the comforts of the domestic circle may be useful,—those friends should, if they possess the means, prove, by a corresponding remuneration, that they duly estimate such delicate attention; particularly as they do generally acknowledge that it is not in the power of money to compensate for the expenditure of so much feeling, and being subjected to so much annoyance. In all cases where it appears this attention and placing them in our domestic circle, will contribute to their comfort or their cure, we, as a matter of feeling and of duty, treat them with equal kindness and attention, always giving considerations of comfort and of cure, the first place.

Besides, most cases are improved by association with those of a different character. I have seen many old torpid cases, and a still greater number of recent cases of suspension of mind, cured by being placed occasionally among those who were in a more lively state, and this after every other means had failed.—And it is reasonable, for nothing can exceed the comic effect of the strange and laughable speeches and manners of some among this class of patients; and, in the case, the treatment of which was altogether mistaken or mis-represented, there was surely nothing incredible or unreasonable in saying I preferred, that this lady should have the chance of being roused out of her torpid state, by remaining at Leopard’s Hill Lodge, where of course, she might have these means occasionally put in force; for all the females were then at that house, and at the same time, she did possess the advantage of every possible delicacy of attention from Mrs. Allen, who was, with her children and an additional number of servants, then living altogether at that house.

The case No. 335, was, as I have already mentioned, always soonest roused out of her melancholy condition, by being placed for a short time in the midst of such association. It would be contrary to the economy of providence, as exemplified by the constitution of society, to place all the melancholy in one class, and all the lively in another. The truth of this argument receives additional confirmation, when we consider, which I am prepared to prove, that insanity in many cases, is produced by, and consists of, an aggravation of the original peculiarity of character, and therefore it is evident, that such collision, like collision in the world, is making one extreme tend to correct another, though of course, the worst and most dangerous cases of every description, are not in their treatment included in this principle.

Many instances are recorded, of two opposite cases, by being thrown together, neutralizing, like an acid and alkali, each other; that is, the melancholy have been roused by the lively, and the lively depressed by the melancholy, and thus both have been brought into a better state.

Sometimes the insane have been cured by witnessing their own case caricatured in that of another. For instance, two proud men, the victims of their gradual and progressive false estimate of themselves, assume in their insane state, the same crown and kingdom, and by witnessing each other’s delusion, have been forced to feel that one must be in the wrong; and thus, one or both were brought to reflection, and ultimately to a more sound and sober state of mind.

Even the imbecile and idiot, are roused and improved by such associations, more than they had been, even with every endeavour to improve them, while they were in a state of seclusion. I have lately had two very remarkable instances of this kind.

No. 425 and 429.

Imbeciles, though they were from birth, they improved after their arrival; the scene was very different to the solitude in which they had been placed; the common scenes and circumstances of life, had not had sufficient power to rouse the dormant and torpid state of their mental functions, while scenes and circumstances, that are in themselves very painful, were better calculated to arouse in their moping minds, something like feeble efforts of reflection. I have seen them behold the strange antics of others, with intense wonder and interest.—Often they will catch the contagion of laughter; and thus if the understanding has no part in the matter, their spirits, at all events, partake of the merriment of the scene around them; and though insanity, considered in the abstract, is a melancholy thing, yet it is a truth, that there is much more of merriment than melancholy among the insane. I believe their average of happiness is greater than would be found among the same number in the world. Those who look with prejudice from impressions received from a few extreme cases, of course make out a different conclusion. Again, there is another consideration, which further proves that the happiness of these imbeciles and ideots may be increased by such association. They have still the blind affections craving for food, and they here find food for their gratification, better suited to their state than they could find it in the world. These affections without understanding, are to the world repulsive. It is strength of affection, guided by strength of understanding, that so powerfully attracts and binds society together. In this sphere they cannot revolve; here, eccentric as it is, they have one better suited to their state.

I daily see ideots and imbeciles taught to walk arm in arm; evidently pleased and gratified that they have objects for their blind affections to rest upon. Besides this, it is a very singular and remarkable fact, that this exercise of their affections, has contributed to the improvement of their physical state. Whatever increases innocent enjoyment, and contributes to happiness, are excellent medicines. Peace and purity of mind are better than physic. This exercise of their blind affections conduces alike to their felicity, and to the preservation of their health, by innocently keeping alive the regular and happy exercise of their animal spirits, by the only outlet they possess, that of their blind and instinctive affections; and hence, it is very remarkable, that in consequence of their animal spirits being no longer pent up, as was formerly the case, they are not now so liable to those sudden bursts and irregular displays of passion, to which they had been the victims; and what is still more remarkable, they are in better health, and not so liable to cramps and colics, which had been the corresponding physical effects of their irregular nervous distribution; so that even with them the truth is evident, that it is not good to be alone; the little world they live in is better suited to amuse and contribute to their happiness, than the quietude of civilized life, from which they could receive no enjoyment, and to which they could only give pain.

It is also worthy of remark, that some patients sink more rapidly into moping idiotcy when kept in a state of perfect seclusion, than they even do in the society of those who are insane like themselves.