The Madmen of the Greek Theatre

Abstract

I fear that the subject which I have undertaken will seem a very useless one to most of the readers of the “Journal of Mental Science.” As several of our systematic treatises on insanity contain very full accounts of the opinions and treatment adopted by the ancient physicians, it will naturally be supposed that the subject is either exhausted, or at least has no further practical interest. This is, however, by no means the case. As far as the statement of general principles goes, there can be little doubt that the passages scattered amongst the works of Aristotle which refer to insanity are of much greater value at the present day than any of the treatises of the classic psychiatrists.