On this page

• Departments (1)
  • 
• Text (6)

  Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    Untitled Article

  • 

    ,., ri' L CfDlfE 5lri0 *

  • 

    Untitled Article

• Transcript

  • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

    Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

    Untitled Article

    DOCTOR FORBES WINSLOW OST INSANITY . Lettsonian Lectures on Insanity . By Forbss Winslow , M . D ., D . C . L . Churchill . On t ' le amalgamation of the London Medical , and the Westminster Societies , in the year 1850 , the Council , in acknowledgment of the many important obligations owed by the parent society to the late Dr . Lettsom , established two lectureships , intended to be held annually by a physician and a surgeon , who were to be entitled the " Lettsomian Professors of Medicine and Surgery . " The first nominated of these two professors were Dr . Owen Rees and Mr . Guthrie . For the second year , the choice fell on Dr . Forbes Winslow and Mr . Hancock . The lectures then delivered by Dr . Winslow

    on Insanity , were first published in . the Lancet , and in the Journal of Psychological Medicine ; and have been since reprinted in a permanent form in the volume now under notice . We must be allowed to state at the outset that we belong to the unprofessional class of Dr . Winslow ' s readers ; and that our only object in selecting these very interesting and remarkable lectures for review , is to help in establishing their claims to the attention of a wider audience than the medical audience to -which they were originally addressed . Criticism is , in our case , entirely out of the question ; if we succeed in arriving at a just appreciation of the value of this volume to the public , we shall have done the-only good service to it that lies within our power .

    The mam position assumed by Dr . Winslow , and defended against opponents -with remarkable vigour and clearness , is "that insanity proceeds , more or less directly , from , some physical disease of the brain—that it is to be treated by physical remedies— -and that it is more likely to be curable by physical than by moral means . The opposite theory—which may be termed the metaphysical theory—is that insanity is a disease of the mind , or , in other words , is a condition of spiritual disorganisation , which may be treated by moral remedies , but which is in general beyond the reach of any purely physical process of cure . In opposition to this theory , and in defence of his own idea , Dr . Winslow has to otter , 1 st , the results of his own great experience ; and , 2 ndly , deductions from , the conflicting experiences and somewhat contradictory testimonies of others . Speaking as lay readers , with great diffidence , we may be allowed to say that Dr . Winslow has , to our apprehension , proved his theory to be generally , but not universally , true . Indeed , he himself soinewhat qualifies his own assertion on this point . At page 54 , he describes himself as u amazed that there could ever have

    existed the shadow of a doubt as to the physical origin of insanity . " At page 58 , he speaks of the " bodily affection" as being , " in nine cases out of ten , the cause of the mental irregularity . " So far as we are qualified to form an opinion from the data supplied by the author , and from those metaphysical speculations which , vague and uncertain as they are , must and will connect themselves with the subject of Insanity , we are disposed to think that the qualified assertion , " nine cases out of ten , " is not qualified enough . We ditfer from Dr . Winslow—even on the metaphysical grounds which are open to us as to him—with great distrust of ourselves ; but we do differ from him . We are fully persuaded of the" tenableness of his theory within certain limits , and of its immense importance to humanity ; but we venture to think that he is inclined to carry it a little too far . We refrain from stating the reasons that have led us to this conclusion , thinking it of most importance to the interests of our readers to occupy the space at our disposal in doing all the justice that we can to Dr . Winslow ' s book .

    Apart from the ^ results of experience on which the author bases his theory—results which we must leave the reader to ascertain from perusal of the Lectures themselves—the strong , the impregnable point of Dr . Winslow ' a position lies in the fact that the result of exclusive and inveterate belief in the purely spiritual character of Insanity has been to discourage tho use of physically remedial measures . One chance for the insane—and , no matter how remote it may bo considered , it is still a chance—has thus been denied them in more casoa we fear than can ever be reckoned up . " The spiritual doctrine , " as Dr . Winslow well remarks , " has naturally led to the conclusion—false in theory and dqstructiye in practice—that for the alleviation and cure of the spiritual mala-dy spiritual remedies were the most important and essential . The clergyman instead of tho physician was therefore summoned to the bedside of the insane , and tho Bible and Prayer-book displaced the physical remedies prescribed for the euro of tho cerebral disorder " Such are the necessary and most mischievous results of a too exclusive and dogmatic belief in the possibility of the immaterial mind being diseased onnrh frnm nil fiAr * nnnrmY » nr » +. * vf + K / a mnfimtnl Ky »«?« « xr * f It i » K « < VK t # > ! n n 1 nnn 1 .. i * * / ¦ /

    * - *_ £ * •«• «* •« . w »«» >> a mw . » -v ** g } 'w «* A * A * u v * v » u A ** i * wV 4 * («* - FwA t * AM } YY AUU , YY *** . \ J * ft AU A 0 VAVJQvl V and indissolubly associated . The wide-spread influence of this belief is , we think , easily to be accounted for . " Nothing can be much more galling to our human pride than to bo forced to admit that the refined spiritual part of ua can , even in this life , be ever utterly at tho mercy of tho gross bodily part . "Who can think , without some humiliation , that tho poetry of Shakspearo and the discdverics of Newton , depended upon the healthy condition of a system of nerves and of at collection ofnei'vous matter which a child might imprison am the compass of a toy-box ? Tho mero thought of this is a wound indixeotly inflicted on every man ' s pride . The practical euro for that wound ia to bo found in tho fact , that the philosophical and medical deductions to be drawn from the most absolute belief in tho power of tho body ovor the mind , suggest now hopes fox tho alleviation of the most awful affliction that can beful mankind . In those worda—after making duo allowances for honest oxcoss of enthusiasm in tho speaker—what consolation oxista for tho most miserable of all our follow-creaturea ! "I now epeak , " saya Dr . Winslow , " irom a somewhat enlarged experience , from

    much anxious consideration of the matter , and I have no hesitation in affirming that , if brought within the sphere of medical treatment in the earlier stages , or even within _ a few months of the attack , insanity , unless the result of severe physical injurjr to the head , or connected with a peculiar conformation of chest and cranium , and an hereditary diathesis , is as easily curable as any other form of bodily disease for th-e treatment of which we apply the resources of our art . ' ' The citation of this remarkable passage will he enoug"h of itself , we think , to show that Dr . Winslow ' s volume has the strongest claims to the attentio n of readers in general . The lectures , in virtue of their treatment , as well as of their subject , are fitted to interest others besides medical men . In the

    excellent first Discourse on the " Psychological Vocation of the Physician , " and in the third lecture on " Medico-Legal Evidence in Cases of Insanity , ' " as well as in the lecture on the " Medical Treatment of Insanity " ' ( to which , the necessity of economising space has obliged us exclusively to devote ourselves ) , there are passages full of instruction and interest for intelligent readers of all professions and degrees . We can honestly say of this book that it ought to be widely read , because it Is eminently calculated to he widely useful ; and we cannot close it without expressing our hearty approval of tie moderation , the frankness , and the modesty of tone -which distinguish at from the first page to the last . Dr . Winslow has given to the world the results of long study and great experience , in a manner which does honour to himself and to the noble profession to which he belongs .

    Untitled Article

    BOOKS ON OUR TABLE . The Steam-Engine , its History ami Meclianism : being Descriptions and Illustrations of the Stationary , Locomotive , and Marine Engine , for the use of Schools and Spudemts By Eobert Seott Burn . H . Ingram and . Co . The Further Adventures of Mr . Verdant Green , an Oasford Undergraduate . By Cuthbert Bede , B . A . H . Ingrain and Co . Cambridge University Transactions during the Puritan Controversies of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries . Collected by James Heywood , M . P ., &c , and Thomas Wright , M . A ., &e . 2 vols- Henry G . Bohn . The Virginia . Comedians ; or , Old Days in the Old Dominion . Edited from the M . S . of C Effingham , Esq . 2 vols . Trttliner and Co . Party Leaders : Sketches of Thomas Jefferson , Alexander Hamilton , Andrew Jackson , Henry Clay , John- Randolph , of RoanoTce , including Notices of many other Distiitr guishedL American Statesmen . By J . G . Baldwin . Triitmer and Co .

    Untitled Article

    PERICLES . Has anybody , not a commentator or a critic ^ ever read Pericles , Prince of Tyre , all through from beginning to end ? To anybody who has ,-we have nothing to say . To the numerous and intelligent public who have not , wd desire to address a few words in reference to the recent resurrection of Pericles aX Sadler ' s Weli , s Theatre . About the play itself we have not many remarks to make . Wise men who are versed in remote dramatic antiquities have discovered that it was only touched up by Shakspeare , who , as we ourselves venture to -think , wasted his time and misdirected his genius in having anything to do with it at all . A . more tedious , incomprehensible , and barbarous story than the story of Pericles cannot be imagined . Excepting the scene on board ship , and the scene in the last act , in which the father recognises his daughter , the whole play is enveloped in a species of dense dramatic fog , through which , at rare intervals , burst flashes of magnificent

    poetry , or touches of wholesome nature , worthy of Shakspeare certamly ,. even if not due to him . —jewels terribly disfigured by the wretched setting in which they are placed—rare flowers , which only serve to make the weeds around them look doubly rank by contrast . Since Pericles was last laid by the stage undertaker in the grave of theatrical oblivion , a hundred years have passed , and in that grave , according to all the better and higher laws of dramatic propriety , he might still have been left undisturbed . Why , then , did Mr . Phelps revive the play ? Because it offered him a chance of astonishing tho public by a wonderful theatrical show . And has he really availed himself of that chance ? Ho has indeed . Tedious as the play is , we can honestly assure our readors that they will bo justified in journeying any distance through the streets of London to sea the manner in which Pericles is got up . The costumes are among tho most brilliant that have been displayed on any stage ; the groupings and processions arc striking and pictho

    turesque in tho best meaning of the words ; and tlie scenery deserves heartiest and most uncompromising praise that wo can give it . Tho painter , Mr . F . Fcnton , is a thorough artist . While producing beautiful and striking effects , he never shows himself to be careless or inattentive about details . His scenery is as remarkable for finish as for brilliancy ; and it gains instead of losing , as wo can testify by our own experience , when it is looked at through an opera-glass . The wild , lurid , sea-shore scene of the second act is a marvel of fine colouring , fine lighting , and perfect illusion ; and tho Tcmplo of Diana , in the last uct , is , for perspective and distance painting , tho most finished picture wo have seen on the stage . We lay especial stress on the beauty of tho scenery , because it is tho groat attraction of the play . Fair acting is impossible in such a drama as Pericles ; the characters arc required to enter and depart , and utter speeches , but not to act . Mr . Pholps , »« tu 0 part of Pericles , had ono chance ( one , in a five-act play !) of producing an effect , and ho seized on St with such extraordinary power , that tho crowded audience rewarded him with a perfect tempest of applause . Miss 13 . Hovftud

    must not bo forgotten citb . Gr . Wo nro indebted to her for tho too rare pleasure on the English stage of seeing a xoally youthful actress in a youthful part . Her voice is not strong enough for tho theatre , but she spoko her dialogue prettily and sensibly . Wo should like to have an opportunity ot seeing this young lady in a modern character , which would require her to interest the audience , but not to docluim before them .

    Untitled Article

    The firafc novelty of tho season at tho Ojcnvtrxo Thuatiuo has been a new farce , adapted , it is almost unneceasary to say , from tho French , and prc " Bcntcd to tho English stage under the title of—

    Untitled Article

    gether we dislike the book . We dislike it as professing to be a history , and yet not carrying its credentials as such , on the production of which alone can it expect to pass ; and we dislike it as an instance of a low kind of literature , which the cheap system of publication—making publishers the purveyors and creators of literary ware , instead of its carriers and vendors —seems to be foisting in upon us . " Wanted a story , of which 20 , 000 copies shall sell in a month—very much after this pattern , sir—and with a good deal of the nigger and whiplash element in it "—this is the kind of destination that Literature seems to be drifting to .

    ,., Ri' L Cfdlfe 5lri0 *

    Cite Irk

    Untitled Article

    1004 THE LEADER . [ Saturday ,

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Oct. 21, 1854, page 1004, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2061/page/20/