Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1872-05-03
WHAT Is INSANITY!


EDIroR JoURsAL-.Sir: The above question
may. at first sight, appear simple, and in an abb
stract sense tits simple enough But il involves
consequences Of an extended nature, and are
more widely difrused than we are generally will
ling TO ackn owledge.
Insanity, from the latin word insani ita. is the
generic term for all such diseases as lunacy,
mania, dslirium and monomaniH. But in its
primary sense ii denotes unsouudness Of mind
The causes which may produce that uusound-
ness are indeed numerous-th nam e is legion.
But tn. close observer will notice, that man 10
not commonly said to be insane, unless his de-
pertinent, acts, or language are such as to reu-
der him conspicuous. Aud then the community
are slow or unwilling to pronounce him insane.
| II person reels along the street they do not
hesitate 10 call him drunk. And intoxicaton is
temporary insanity. The mind Of the drunkard
| il unsound pro ten, hence he Is insane; for in
sanity is unsouudness Of mind, arrangement OF
the mental faculties, or dslrium. But as in
drunkenness, 80 in other forms OF insanity, there
are degrees. And the pub lie smile at the incip-
lent stages Of both. Aud il is only when the in
sbriats becomes "bsastly drunk" (what mis-
nomer) that sober men interpose; go il is only
when the nonomsniac jeopardlzes the safety OF
welfare Of others, that society deems itself called
upon to interfere. And this can not well be 9th
granted or applied in the osse Of every person
who talks and acts at randum. But when wa
behold man daily and hourly acting ard talk
ing wildly, whose assertions, often utterly devoid
OF reason, are evidently the emanations Of an ex-
cited imagination or a brain remarkable for its
chimerical fecundity, may we not reasonably
judge him insane? A? And, although the fact oI
bis insanity might not justify bis incarceration
or confinement. it should deprive his statements
sane men are entitled.
With the causes by which the mind has be.
come unsettled we have, practically, nothing to
do. Nor can We determine the exact amount OF
degree Of responsibility resting upon mind thus
disordersd because We are unable to define the
extent OF the demsniiu. Such persons have their
lucid intervals when they converse intelligent!V '
and even lsarnedly, but how are We to know
when they are perfectly sane and fully con
scious7 The cunning OF the insane IS proverbi-
al, hence, all their words and acts should be
viewed with caution. so long as they avoid the
meshes Of the law, and endanEer the safety OF
no one, society will allow them to do pretty much
as they please for ii can not properly do other
wise.
But IL Is sometimes surprising to witness men
snjoying the rhodomontade and seuseless mOn-
n niR nitar hv Inns II iao oh
lied by neither wit or common sense. Nor is Il
replsts with instruction. But while il exciteS
pity in the minds Of the philanthropic, il may
and should induce caution in all persons so thai
they may sedulouslV guard against every course
which is Immediately or remotely calculated tc
dethrons their reason, or in any manner impair
their judgement.
There are comparatively few persons whose
minds are SO shattered or perverted that thei,
confinement is essential to the safety Of others
But the re are hundreds, aye, thousands at large
who are truly mOnOmaniacs, or insane upor
some one subject. Some of these engage 10 70
ligious services and appear devout and seen
10 have penchant for quoting scripture anC
hymns. But how disgusting to listen to the ut
teranes Of sacred phraSeoloEy from mouths 10
dOlent with the odor Of tobacco and strong
drinks.
To those who do not regard vital Godiness Al
= sine qua non u an honorable profession o
ChristiAni.y,t it may not appear iucongruous
but to the writer II seems akin to basphemy. Il
is not surprising that the poor lunalic talks o
religious matters as they strike his fancy at The
moment, but anon he uttSrs vapid. inAnities, o.
Billiugsgate slang, and the crowd arc amused
just as boys are pleased by tho maudlin snt
4 crazy antics of drunkard in the gutter. O tem
pSr0i D morss
But having sat down to write only . feu
thoughts, ! hud myself trespsssinE upon you,
space to an unwarrantable length, SO, lest you
sheud refuse me place on IA future occasion
} in yOur WILDLY read JoURNAL will close these
deSSlio~y aud crude remarks, hoping they viii
offend eebody. yERlrAs.
May 1t, 1919.