The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-06-24
SOME TYPES OF INSANITY.
An Expert Talks of the Variations of
ParanOia, Mania and Dementia.
New York Evening Sun.

New York Evening Sun
At the Post Graduate Medical School a
few days ago a well-known professor of
nervous and mental diseases. who testified
as an expert at the trial of Mrs. Fitzgerald
for the murder of Mrs. Pearsall, delivered
a lecture on insanity in its relation 10 homi-
eide, during which he alluded to Mrs. FitZ-
gerald's case.
The various types of insanity said he,
all breed homicides, but some more than
others. His classification of the various
forms OF insanity was as follows, and any
phase OF mental disorder, he said, would
be found TO tit under one head or the 9TH
noia, paresis.
The victims of melancholia are most sub
Paretics are least to be feared. Melan-
cholia is often the result of some bodily
sdnae tb,s or dis;aappoipted ambition may
mind. Under the head of "melancholia,' /
place Mrs. Fitzgerald.
Insane homicidal outbreaks could not oc-
cur in perfectly healthy persons. They
might be apparently sane, and be suddenly
seized with an irresistible impulse to kill
some one or to commit suicide, but there
must be a ground work of melancholia or
some other unhealthy mental state to in
cite this passion.
doctors now declare" the Professor
continued, that there is no such thing as
emotionaP insanity. L believe the word was
not used at all during the Fitzgerald trial.
and | doubt if any. expert would take the
stand and testify that such condition as
emotional insanity ever exists"
Paranoia' Is word of such wide appli-
cation a that IT may be worn out in the en-
deaVor 10 make 1t cover the one thousand
and one varieties of mild and explosive
cranks.
'.Paranoia is very good word to use"
said the Professor to the young doctors
as 1T enables you to classify your cranky
acquaintances. Monomania Is the older
name for the same peculiarities. The con-
dition often manifests itself by a fear of
going to some particular place by dread
or crossing street or similar eccentrici-
ties. The subject is usually possessed of a
single delusion; perhaps has an exagger-
ated Idea or his own greatness, or is
about to convulse the world by a wonder
IuI invention There is frequently. too,
some physical peculiarity-as a bad shaped
mead or peculiar shaped ears or defornity
The Professor grouped the paranoiacs to-
gether under several heads-paranoia relig-
iosa, the crank who talks and thinks of
nothing but religion; paranoia inventoria
the victim of which is full of foolish
schemes, a crank of the Colonel Sellers
type; paranoia litigiosa, or litigious par
anoiacs, who are forever bringing suits in
causes.
"Cranks of this kind" said the Pro-
lessor, ARE, L believe, more numerous in
Europe than in the United States, though
notable instance a whole county was en-
gagged in fight over a turkey in which
a few dollars were at stake.
Under the head of paranoia reforma-
toria come more obnoxious class of
monomaniacs-poltical offenders. Anarch-
lists, and bomb-throwers, who are convinced
that only by the murder of a few
crowned heads, princes. presidents, Sem
ators and millonaires and the destruction
of property can the existing state of af-
fairs be changed for the BETTER
Guiteau, the Professor mentioned IS one
of the. extraordinary cases of honlicidal
paranoia. Prendergast, the murderer OF
Mayor Harrison, was another.
From mania" all types of insanity may
develop. Excitability and a generally
ize this phase of lunacy, though the
mental state of the victims runs the whole
gamut of the emotions. Homicidal and
suicidal outbursts are frequent.
"Dementia" is somewhat dangerous
form of insanity. It's victims have no
mind at all, are morbid and morose but
are subject to homicidal attacks.
PareticS are generally harmless. Pare
sis is a product of modern civilization -
said the Professor. II don't know of a hap-
pier lot of people than are the paretics for
a time. Their imagination Is exceedingly
vivid; they have boundless wealth, in their
own minds. or have a remarkable invention
which they are about 10 give TO the world.
This blissful state of things continues for
awhile, then the patients become apathetic,
rarely dangerous"
Regarding the responsibility of the in
sane the Professor believed that paranoiacs
should be punished for their crimes. The
Anarchist monomaniacs of the Guiteeu
stripe are very unpleasant people TO have
about, and he thinks few of them should
be hanged. the others locked up or exiled.
Il hope some time" said he. Ito see them
all corralled and transported to a distant
sea island, where they can communicate
with the rest of the world but once year.
They should have no rum or tobacco they
should be fed on fruits and vegetables and
they should not be allowed To breed, and
thus be gradually exterminated. This COL
onization OF paranoiacs may be a scheme
of the future"