The reader will perceive that I have endeavored to confine myself to a resumé of the more prominent incipient symptoms of the various forms of cerebral and mental disorder. I could not enter more minutely into an investigation of these subjects without trenching upon matériel which will constitute the bases of two succeeding works, viz., one on Organic Affections of the Brain, and the second on Disorders of the Intelligence, Cerebro-Psychical in their nature. In justice to the reader as well as to myself, I make this explanation, as an apology for the somewhat cursory manner in which I have been obliged to treat the more practical portions of my subject. I refer particularly to those sections of the treatise that relate to the medical treatment of incipient paralysis, apoplexy, softening, as well as other forms of organic cerebral disease and functional mental disorder. It was impossible for me, without greatly enlarging this already too bulky volume, to enter, except in general terms, upon the consideration of the subject of therapeutics. If I had attempted to do otherwise, it would have been necessary for me to have excluded from the work much salient, illustrative, and relevant matter having a direct bearing upon the class of morbid phenomena under analytical investigation. I am bound to confess that I fully and sensitively appreciate the many shortcomings and defects to be found in the following pages. It is not my duty, however, to point them out to the reader. His critical eye will no doubt soon detect all signs of omission and commission, and will, considering the vast extent of ground over which I have had to travel, make every allowance for them. I sincerely trust that I shall not be exposing myself to the imputation of egotism, if I were to repeat what Goldsmith said in his preface to the "Vicar of Wakefield,” "There are an hundred faults in this thing, and an hundred things might be said to prove them beauties. But it is needless. A book may be amusing with numerous' errors, or it may be dull without a single absurdity." 23 CAVENDISH SQUARE, LONDON, April, 1860. CONTENTS. Important aphorisms of Hippocrates in reference to the early treatment of dis- eases-Marshall Hall on the neglect of premonitory symptoms of disease of the brain-General neglect of incipient cerebral symptoms-Attention paid to the early symptoms of disease in other organs-Cases illustrating the neglect of incipient symptoms-Insidious character of disease of the brain-Obscure cerebral symptoms-All affections of the brain have an incipient stage- Latent disease of the brain-Diseases of the brain subject to general patholo- gical laws-Neglected affections of the brain-Cases of alterations of structure of the brain-Physiology of the brain-Necessity of watching for incipient cerebral disease-Early treatment of Insanity-Unwillingness to recognize PAGES All physical alterations of the brain modify its psychical functions-Effect of cerebral disease on the mind-Emotional exaltation and excitement-Irresisti ble impulse to suicide-Ennui not always a condition of mental inactivity- Early symptoms of mental disorder-Disorders of the mind shown by altera- Ignorance of the nature of insanity-Poetical description of insanity by a lunatic -What is insanity?-Ignorance of the mental and nerve force-The extent of our knowledge of the nature of mind and matter-Impossibility of defining insanity-Suggestions for an improved analysis of morbid mind-Laws govern- ing the operation of thought-State of the mind between sleeping and waking -Insanity and dreaming-Are intellectual problems solved during dreams?— Insanity a waking dream-Pascal on dreams-Poetry, &c., composed during sleep-Rapidity of mental action in dreams-Curious case-Resemblance of the phenomena of dreams to insanity-In dreams the mind is often conscious of its creations-Lucid intermissions during attacks of insanity-Singular The autobiography of the insane interesting and instructive-Indivisibility of mind-Can the insane accurately describe, after recovery, their previous con- dition of disordered mind?-Shakspeare the only correct delineator of insanity -Former barbarous treatment of the insane-Pinel's efforts to ameliorate the condition of the insane-Progress in the pathology and therapeutics of insa. nity-Symptoms of insanity described by a lady after recovery-Morbid sug- gestions in the incipient stage-Cases of incipient insanity-Case of double consciousness-Singular case of incipient insanity-Illusions of hearing- Hallucinations of sight-Letters from patients after recovery-Confessions of STATE OF THE MIND WHEN RECOVERING FROM AN ATTACK OF INSANITY. State of the mind when passing out of an insane into a sane condition-Cases illustrating the phenomena-Doubts as to the reality of delusions among the insane-Descriptions given by patients after recovery of their previous state of mind-Singular case of recovery from attacks of insanity-The Rev. Mr. Walford's account of his recovery from an attack of mental derangement, 131-137 ANOMALOUS AND MASKED AFFECTIONS OF THE MIND. Impossibility of defining insanity-Singular case of insanity-Insanity among |