New-York tribune., 1874-05-29
MORBID IMPULSE.
nv wn1JaMA HAMMOND, M. d.

.r.ycrs OF CRIMES COMMITTED BY PERSONS |
WHO HAD lLosr sEIF-CONTROL - MKTHop OF
xpr,1rNG SUCH PATIENTS THE EXTENT TO
WHICH THEY ARE TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
The New.York Medico-Legal Society held it's reg
slar monthly meeting at the College Of Physicians
and Surgeons, at Twenty-thrd-st and Fourth-ave,
last evening The President. Clark Bell, occupied
the chair, and among the more prominent gentlemen
present were the following: t. Edwards Clark. NJ
D., T. NJ. B. Cross, NJ. d., c. s. Wood, M. d., r. K
Millvaine, NJ. D.. F. ID. Leute NJ. D., Geo. W. Wells,
n. d., NJ. N. Miller. NJ. D.. r. S. Guernsey John
Osborn, NJ. D. An election of new members, which
was held resulted in the enrolment of the following
names: John j. Mason, NJ D., Clinton Wagner, Nj.
D., Alexander f. Newman, NJ. d., II. NJ Morris, w.
j. Scott NJ D., Cleveland, and w. =. Woodcock,
H. d., Sing Sing n. Y, F. Leroy Satterlee, NJ. d.,
and VIM. Loew. The address of the evening was
followed by short discussion. The speaker was
Prof William A. Hammond and the subject of his
saper Morbid Impulse" Its principal features are
reproduced below.
1t il related of the Prince de Talleyrand that
spon occasion the great statesman told the follow
ing circumstance Of eventul life: was intimately
connected with my couDtryman M. b. We had always
lived on the best terms and in those stormy times
something than friendship was required TO
unite persons, when the expression OF friendship
demanded almost q divine courage. We had together
quilted France 10 take refuge in New-fork, and had
hitherto lived in perfect harmony.
Wishing TO increase little capital, had freghted
ship half shares with him 10 try our fortune In the
Indies. We were ready for departure, but waited
Tor favorable wind with the greatest impatence Ihis
state Of uncertainty seemed to poor b. to most
extraordinary degree. Incapable of remaining quiet he
roamed the city with feversh activity which Tor the
moment excited surprise for he was always remark
able for his GOODNESS and placidy One day he entered
the room apparently under great excitement
although he made great efforts TO restrain him.
self writing letters TO Europe Leaning over my
shoulder he said with forced gayety; Why do you
lose time In writing these lettersi They Twill
reach their destination. Come with me and let us make
round Of the Battery. The wind may become favor
able; perhaps nearer our departure than we
think
1--WE threaded the well-peopled streets and reached
the Battery. He had offered his arm and hurried
if he haste to reach 1t. When we were ON
the grounds b. fastened still until we reached the
edge. He spoke loudly and rapidly and admired, In
energetic terms the beauties OF the scene. Suddenly
stopped the midst of his incoherent talk had
disengaged my arm from his and stood firmly before
him. / fixed my eyes upon him; he moved aside If
inundated and ashamed. b. said l, your inten-
tien to kill you TO throw me from this hight
Into the Deny IT. monster, II you dare? The in
sane looked at intently with his haggard eyes
tor moment; but 1 careful not to remove
my looks from him and his eyes fell He muttered some
Incoherent words and endeavored 10 pass me. but
spread my arms and prevented him. Casting wild
look around, ne threw himself on my neck and burst
Into 1t is true lit is true! my friend! The
though has haunted day and night like internal
name. 1t for that brought here. See,
foot from the precipice Another instant the deed
would have been done!
"The demon had abandoned him; his eyes full OF
expression white foam covered his parched lips; the
rri.is had passed. conducted him home. Some days
Of rest bleeding and dieting entirely cured him, and,
what Is the most singular circumstance of all, never
Afterward referred to the occurrence"
This sufficient show what constitutes morbid
Impulse. II may be defined a condition in which the
affected individual is impeed consciously commit
act which is contrary to his natural and against
his normal, l,ncnatiOns.
Tits necessary not II conound this state with others
which In some respects it resembles, but which are,
nevertheless, quite distinct from IT, Thus the person
who under the influence Of derium commits act of
violence against another himself not the subject OF
morbid impulse, for he acts in accordance with his
reason, perverted though 1t may be. man, for in
stance acquires the idea that OF his relatives
friends is seeking opportunity tolpoison him. The
delrium grows with every of his life. and
long dominates his mind with terrible power.
He lies in wait for his supposed enemy and murders
him. such act - not what 1 understand being
the result Of morbid impulse II lis deed growing out
Of intellectual processes logical in character but based
npon .alse premises Or person may imagine that In
visible devils endeayOrng TO destroy him, and 10
sscaps from his tormeniers be commits suicide. In
ouch case he reasons from his supposed state OF facts
and chooses an alternative which, under the ctrcutp
tsaeoA he ueeves 70 9e preferable t. Continual exist
snce.
Neither are the unconscious acts Of certain epeptcs
the result morbid impulse though in some respects
they bear great degree Of resemblance TO those which
are dictated by condition in question. The element
Of unconseiousness sufficient 10 distinguish them.
was consulted in the OF young lady, an Inmate
Of fashionable school in this city, who. immediately
before each monthly period, was attacked with par
pxysms of great and uncomfortable excitement, during
attempted to destroy every object within her
reach In one these which had occurred just before
saw ner she had broken a large drawing mirror,
n maute clock, and several valuable vases and orna-
ents before could be restrained. One evening she
entered my consulting with her governess, and
almost before could speak TO her the fit seized her.
Her and neck became red, her eyes sparked she
sembed from head To foot and, as was unable TO
her. grasped bronze dagcerik paper-knife
that my table and attempted 10 thrust II her
Fortunately It struck the steel support OF
her cOrset before she could repeat the act caught
her and took the weapon from her In few mo
1nents she calm and had no recollection OF what she
had done The attack clearly cDieptic IN charac-
Ser shortly aerward her seizures assumed the sin
Yuar form OF the grant mai
In morbid impulse the individual who is its sub
ject perfectly OF the ncOngruOus act he h about
Il commit but perpetrates IT because he is compelled
1hereto BY force which he feels himself pOWeresS TO
resist lie calmly aud deliberately very often, but
again and excitement He does not
sor lose consciousness, and when his impulse
has been acted upon, or his purpose changed Dy any
for the iDsiant-Ore powerful cause he TecOllects dis
tinctly all the circumstances OF the occasion. 1t fire.
guenty happens that the paent struggles successfully
against the Impulse which he experiences, even when
the point of yielding; or he takes such meas
pres OF prevention sufficient for the purpose
the impulse disappears spontaneously or as a cODse
gnence OF appropriate medical treatment
Very slight causes often sufncent TO destroy or
overcome The morbid impulse. " Marc" cites the
OF NJ. K, distinguished chemist and an amiabe man.
who feeling himself ilnpelled 10 commit InuTler and
fearing his inability resist voluntarily placed himself
in mason de sd,H OF the faubOuFg 81. antoine
TOrmented by the desire kil, he often pros
trated himself before the altar and lmplOsed the
Almighty deliver him from ms atrocOus impelse the
IDfrr MIL L. q