New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-04
DISCUSSING Pulses or IySLMTE.

At the regular monthly meeting OF the Medlc0-
Legal socety last might, Anal yis o the Mental Con-
ditiou OF Charles j. Guiteau" by Dr. A o. Kellogg, was
read by Dr. Hammond. It contained no new
theory. the conclusion reached being that Guiieau
lis not the dlyiHely inspired lunatic he so
loudly claimed To be. but a doprayed man aud one
that mprehcnis fully the mature and wrongfless 70
the criminal act which he has committed No one has
ever seen case OF pure moral insanity, and the
case of GueAH it, REGARD it.. one Of chron pro
gressiye moral depravity Of very low FORM
The paper Of the evening was read by
Dr. Edward G. spitzka, its rather Formidable
rtle being The Evidences Of Insanity Discovered IN
the Brains II Criminals and Others whose Mental State
has been Questioned, with some Remarks on E1per-
Testimony and the GrapOttee Case Dr. Spzka san
that medical testimony on questions or insanity Ia
American courts OF law has TO be regarded with
doubt II not contempt" How experts should be APP
pointed received a;tenonand the method Of reforming
existing abuses was discussed Dr. Spitzka regarded
iudicous thorough and pertinent crOss-xamnatiOn OF
the medical witness the method best calculated 10
solve this problem" In the subdivision Of the subject,
the paper asked and aswered these questions
whether insanity IL always associated with visible
evidences al brain disease The answer to this ques
ton is No! standardization the morbid appearances
the brains Oi persons known To have been sane Inc
answer 10 TINS question Is tnat soue oi Ine
related 10 insanity are found IN every sane
aault and still other OF the common findings IL
the insane found occasionally IL the brains OF
PERSONS of ordinary sOun0ness or mind IhTd
Whether there any consistency m the association OF any
spe,.lai disease Of The brain win special forms and
.ta yes OF insanity The answer 10 this question II that
wlh some Of insanity the post-mOrem almost at
tas the value OF the DIAGNOSIS, while in
others il does owing to the constAncy Of csr-
tain signs Of disease FORMS and their III
cuustancy with other forms oI insanity
lie paper called out lively discussion. DR.. Ham
mond agreed with statement that post m0rten
does not always disclose the disease which death
He believed the Theory Of modified responsibility
that a. that all individuals are equally responsible
Tor their There were very few crazy people who
were not legally esponsibe for tile crimes they commit
acts As any sane nlan.
Ex-Surrogale Calvin thought experts should be
appoiuted by the courts and not / the Interest
of e.tner siue, do AWAY Win all bias. LKpcrt
testimony SHOULD De The last reduced IN case, the
attorneys on either side asking previously pre- pared
Ia. lic,-rgll science 10 Il ttI.ac the present con
,ou N .lc brain Of the living ;han by autopsy 10
pronounce upon the mcntal condition before death.
Dr. Gray, OF br0OAyn. Thought tne present method OF
badgerug pert Witnesses Do orCer 10 d'torI tneir c'
umOuy Infamous lr braFn 7h4d mat lor thr Ht7'
ANA only lis life nc agreed with the lawyers re-
trrrne 10 ex--urrO-ate (alsIu's Suggestions ~ the
manner OF appointing experts. Inc lnr@ne, ne said
are not ana cannot be responsible or punishable Tor
| ur can be little dead ne tLluely diH'' recu VIM
Dr. hammond aid was sure me Litter woul4 by The
process. eyoIOu cycnLGaly come around 10 nr lIlc
speakers, opinion rs To- Tic re~pVnH4D! "I lHe lASae
r. Hammond epled hat never III tnc Whole con!sr oI
LIE listened 20 80 many aO7'44A I-s
IN zen minutes time as H''u pe'H u
ter.d b. Dr. BelId. lie Illustrated LIS
views By citing the OF several patterns JlAL ne p,
now treating tor mental mal4des. lie hed That there
nAucs responsible Tor their acts, ana mat III the
cases OF ier,ous suffering from insane Impulse 10
their yelling impulses Was lar greater than
CANNED by d.. Beard