Scientific Serials

Abstract

THE Journal of Mental Science, October 1873. This journal is still occupied with only medico-psychological subjects. The Morisonian Lectures on Insanity for 1873 begun in this number are of great interest, and mark the advance of Science in this painfully important branch of knowledge. Nothing, we think, can be more evident than that Dr. Skae proceeds on a scientific principle when he attempts to classify the various forms of insanity according to the bodily disease or condition, as far as it can be ascertained, which proceeds or accompanies the insanity. And it is surprising that even Dr. Maudsley should be found among those who cavil at Dr. Skae's classification, instead of adopting his principle and making the most of it. With insanity Science has made a beginning, but that is all.—In an article by Dr.J. T. Dickson on “The Functions of Brain and Muscle Considered in Relation to Epilepsy” we have a rather singular hypothesis concerning the functional relation of the brain to the muscular system. We cannot afford to indicate this curious theory; we doubt if we quite understand it; but we can inform the scientific world generally, on the authority of Dr. Dickson, that what they have been in the habit of believing on this subject “is not only improbable, but impossible.” Dr. Hughlings Jackson has, it seems, been at the pains to quote against Dr. Dickson some passages from Herbert Spencer's Psychology; but he could have little known with whom he had to deal. Dr. Dickson quietly remarks— “From this it would seem that Spencer holds somewhat the same, though the untenable view.” Was there ever a finer example of how completely original ideas can free a mind from the degrading thraldom of authority? Does Spencer differ from me? why then that is the worse or Spencer.—The article of most general interest is “The Morbid Psychology of Criminals,” by Dr. D. Nicolson, continued from last number, and still unfinished. It abounds in valuable observations, and good practical common sense. When in prison criminals offer good opportunities for observation, but we do not perceive that their “emotional displays” can with strictness be said to mark anything specially morbid. From all that is said, we cannot gather more than that criminals are like the much larger class to which they generally belong, namely people of a low type of mind. The unfortunates that find their way into our prisons are, we regret to think, far from the only people who cannot help insanely acccusing others of wicked designs against them; whose minds are lawless and undisciplined; who must have their “breakings out;” and for whom, when they become intolerably insolent and violent, “a good drubbing on the spot” would be the most appropriate medicine. People, when inclined to what they ought not to do will not be deterred by the fear of punishments that are not painful, or which are too distant to act on their dull imaginations. This leads to large considerations, but we can only say that it would be a great matter for social progress if our tender-hearted philanthropists—those who busy themselves with theories of home, school, and prison discipline, distributing gratis wonderful receipts for the painless cure of all bad habits—could be brought to understand a little better than they do the real nature of the material on which they have to work. The review of the Lunacy Blue Books will be found interesting; also “Antiquarian Scraps relating to Insanity,” by Dr. T. W. McDowall.