The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1890-01-10
LIABILITY TO INSANITY.

! doubt very much If there is any such
thing as the insane temperament"
THIS is an organic constitution character
iSed by certain mental and physical quail
tiles which is uniformly met with in
those who are predisposed to insanity.
AT least no such temperament is recog-
nized by Psychologists or alienists of the
present day. Systematic writers gener-
aIg arlnlit the existence of four distinct
temperatures the sangulne; the lynn
phatic or phlegmatic, the choeric or
bilious, and the nervous Every physi-
clan who has much to do with the treat
ment of insane persons has witnessed in
stances of mental arrangement not only
in individuals of each one of these tenl-
peraments. but in all their possible COM
binations. Indeed. it is rare to find
person IN whom any one of the tempera-
ments mentioned exists i'll its pure and
simple form, those of mixed tempera-
ments being greatly in the majority.
Perhaps the nervous temperament is
the one which is the most frequently met
with uncombined with any other teinpera-
ment, or at least SO greatly predominant
ing as to obscure any other that may be
is the only temperament that can be ac-
ouired by mode of life. If there is any
temperament which of itself predisposes
TO insanity it is the nervous 1t may be
well. therefore. to point out some OF its
cinef characteristics.
The manifestations of nervous energy
are markedly prominent. and give pecu.
liar impress to the whole body and mind
FTIl 10 l1a
features thin and sharp: the pulse Is
quick, small aud frequent. though not
weak. the respiration active; the chest
and muscular system are generally not
largely developed. the skin is dry and
rough and the digestive functions are
performed irregularly. In consequence
OF the comparative weakness OF the
muscles. persons of this temperament
easily become fatigued. though. owing TO
the activity of the nervous system, they
qauckIv rally.
Prompt to form opinions and to arrive
at conclusions. the subjects of the nerv-
Gus Temperament are not remarkable for
STABILITY of purpose. Their intellectual
operations are rapid and brilliant, but at
tie same time net often persistent. Va
r,etv is constantly sought for. and the
mental efforts, like the physical. are, as
il were slasinnlic, full of energy while
they lust but soon yielding To others.
Women were formerly much more fire.
Qie..tly the subjects of this temperament
liIan men. but owing TO the constant eff
fort 10 get rich manifested by the male
sex in recent times, and the consequent
extreme Development of the emotional
systeIn and of certain faculties of the in
1eilect. II Is nov: far more common with
men Indeed. | am not sure but tnat
in civilized communities. especially in the
large cities of the United States, it has
not hecon.- the pretlonlinating tempera-
ilreut. TlI- man who day after day ls
kel,. upon 81 mental rack by that most
iraraS1ins of all the emotions-anxiety
viii ;iaev!tably Undergo such T'sychical
and l,otIiy changes as will change him
sr;hn any other original temperament to
ahe une under notice OF all the tenn
In-rai1nnts, 1t Is particularly easy to be ac-
sluire.! 1t Is the outcome of civilization
and refinement. and probably but for
these agencies would never have arisen.
Among harharotls nations it is almost
Unknown. ana savaaes never exhibit it:
but Il is common enough in London,
us dllt1 VIEW Vi stilt III Gilcil " uO, II
they had lived hundred years ago,
would have l;eeu as phiegnlatic as the
most tylacai Dutchman.
The diseases which are most apt to
occur among individuals of the nervous
temperament are those which concern
the nervous system. Thus. we have the
various forms of neuralgia, certain aifec-
tons of the spinal cord. hvsteria in all
its protcan varieties. ST. EitlIs' dance,
cata!cpS-. ecstasy ana insanity of all
types In fact, the nervous tempera-
sneat i.sc'f is, if strongly developed, al
inost Il pathological condition, the sensi-
iihty is so acute. the capabi|ity for re-
ceIvlng meni;ll impressions SO decided.
and the .ystcI:l is SO readily thrown into
disorder ROM slight causes that Ghe tenn
peranle1t in question may often be con-
sderc.i as the first manifestation of dis
ease.
Persons of tine nervous temperament
are very subject to diseases which exist
only III their imagination or which. be-
ing slight are exaggerated by the con-
sttnt ia:.:i "f iIitrosprc;ion i'll which they
indulge. .hey are thus very frequently
rendered seriously i'll by the morbid at
tentIun they give to symptoms which are
often by no means abnormal.
But although, the existence of the ner-
volts temperament in person predis-
poses him or her more than does any
other temperament to mental alteration,
it is not to be supposed that it possesses
this power TO the exclusion of the other
lemperameuts. The sanguine. the lynn
phatic and the choleric are by no means
devoid of influence in tins direction. In
decd. the latter is not far behind The
nervous as predominant temperament
in insane persons.
There is, therefore, no temperament
WHICH can par excellence be regarded as
the Insane temperament. Persons of all
fen,mra'nental types are liable to insan-
ity. Individual popularity is factor
NOT to be disregarded. Some people
would never becoi,le insane, no matter
what nisfortunes might visit tlem or
what mental shocks they might suffer.
while others might lose their minds upon
the supervention of the slightest possible
disturbing event. One man will suffer
tie loss of family and friends and money
and his mind will retain all its clearness
end vigor. while another will go into his
barn and hang himself when he learns
that butter has fallen two cents pound.
- DR. William A. Hammond in New
York Mail and Express.