A treatise on hysteria and epilepsy : with some concluding observations on epileptic insomnia / by J. Leonard Corning.

  • Corning, J. Leonard (James Leonard), 1855-1923.
Date:
1888
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A treatise on hysteria and epilepsy : with some concluding observations on epileptic insomnia / by J. Leonard Corning. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    evidence, but that the accused was entirely cleared of any imputation in respect to the charge preferred against him. * * * The accused was then dis- charged from custody, having been in prison two months for no offence. It is a common belief among certain persons that the mental phenomena recorded above are due to some extraordinary effect of the anaesthetic. But it is a noteworthy circumstance that such cases are usually observed among neurotic, hysterical females, or among those in whom there is a strong erotic tendency. A certain constitutional predisposition seems, therefore, a pre-requisite in all'such cases. There can be little doubt that such an hysterical predisposition was pres- ent in the foregoing case, though the clinical history is somewhat incomplete on this point. When such instances occur, diligent inquiry should always be made regarding the family history. The discovery of the existence of consanguineous insanity, or the affirmation of witnesses that the prosecutrix is of a nervous, hysterical disposition, should be ac- cepted, in the absence of other more positive testi- mony, as proof positive of the innocence of the ac- cused. In our estimation the verdict rendered in the case above cited was most just and in entire harmony with the most enlightened scientific opinion. Fictitious attempts at suicide are a favorite means of attaining sympathy among hysterical women. An instance of this kind came under my immediate notice