The herald., 1895-07-27
THE Score IS NOW SETTLED
Continued from First Page

Continued from First Page
common to cpileptic cases. over burdened
WIN this acrid and intensely irritant
acld hence the brain is in an abnormallv
eHciIed state in the parts concerned. so
uistui olng the acquisitive, secretive and
destructive traits that have this part OF
the brain as their special organs.
Inc examination of hundreds of epilep-
tics reveals like condition, an enlarge
ment ana unnatural action OF these ecu
ters OF the nervous system is always pres
ent and gives unmeasured seltishness to
the moral nature. Upon this point the
following quotation is from the highest
authority in the medical world (Diction-
aary & Psychological Medicine by d.
Hack Tnke, NJ. d.. LII. d.. examiner in
mental physiology in the university of
London, etc. Genuine eplepsy-a d.
sease of the highest nerve centers with
important psychological relations. =.
So far we have spoken of the nervous sys-
TEN as merely complex sensorim OF or
physical machine. but 1T is more; it IS
necessary to state here that these highest
centers are the organ of the mind :.
From what has been said above OF the
hierarchy of nervous centers. it follows
that these epileptic seizures the lower
levels are let GO in an unaccountable
fashion. and, as would be expected, this
insanity varies greatly from merely &C.
centric action to homicidal mania Of the
most violent type. "-(Page 240).
One OF tho surprising things noticed by
the careful student of human conditions
IL the narrowed vision of many SO called
too often the fact that many OF those con-
nned as demented, are such only at occa-
slonal and limited periods; also that the
insane are frequently possessed of a sur
prising degree OF GOODNESS, cunning and
self Possession, even moro than is usual
with those whose minds are normal
and hence their sympathies thus remain
tender, giving them less selfish, self.con-
troll.
One VINO commits an unprOvoked crime
without either premeditation or regret
is very certainly not normal character.
Another very noted authority may well
De quoted as objectng to the present Gus
toms OF medlco- legal deciders of these
questions. He decidedly protests against
the custom which he sums up in the
words: 1T is an opinion prevalent with
many that the epileptic, unless chronically
demented and aside from the period OF
the attack.,is always sane from medical
and competent and responsible from
medico-legal point of vlew." An opinion
ends OF Justice by the noted Spitzka. NJ.
d.. president of the Neurological society.
William Fredericks has brain of above
the average size. The moral and intel.
lectual organs are better developed than
In the average man but as luke writ So
The lower levels are let 60 in an un
controllable fashion,"
A 0iagnostlcian OF even mediocre
ability cannot fail to discover in Fred
ericks state Of system reeking with the
most irritant of all the products of the
body-the direct cause of all the rheu-
matte and neuralgia states-uric acid.
This. added to the fact that his ancestry
have distinct History of such condi-
tions. he and they having had both Kid
ney and rheumatic troubles. His teeth
having ragged edges bear vivid testi.
M my to this. The scenes he supplied in
the court room are in harmony with this
hypothesis.
The excuse for not giving this article
to the public three months sInce on the
occasion of the examination of Fredericks
by the writer, is to be found in the fact
that too many criminals have found en-
coliraRement in the escape by the lin
sanity dodge of those whom few believe
To be insane; also. that an existence such
as this case would become can ind no ad-
vantage for either himself or others. in
the prolonngihg OF worthless and handi-
In closing this article I would suggest
that this condition-disturbed brain CEN
tors, resulting from congestion BY uric
acid can be o waited by some readily
made corrections in our almost national
customs. The body is filled to surfeit
withI' flesh substance" in a decomposed
state. by reason OF an excessive meat diet. !
Too much OF stinulants and narcotics cut
down the functions of the kidneys and
allow this acid. resulting from chemical
change of obsolete flesh Substance. to re-
main in the blood. Such customs, in
herited and continued on, only seem to
perpetuate the nervous disturbances that
upset the equilibrium of moral-mental
nature. More free use of the alkaline
vegetables, milk and fruits, moro cleans.
ing of the blood by tho sensible "friction
bath, and less use of ex cretory drugs
would work transformation.
IESLIE r. MUTCH.