New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-07-27

There IS probably no more eminent specialist
IN abnormal mental diseases than the author Of
this collection OF scientific lectures NJ. Janet
has devoted lifetime Of research TO the clinical
s+udy Of those weird disturbances of the human
mind which are roughly called hysteria, sleep
walking and hypnotism. AS professor of psy-
chology IN the College de France and director Of
the psychological laboratory in the clinic of
the Salpetriere. he has had unequalled opportu-
mites OF observing a vast number of eccentric
and rare maladies Of the nervous system Also
Re is blessed with that clearnindedness which
We Americans sometimes grudgingly call typ
ically French Unlike many earnest but less
well balanced investigators in other countries II.
Janet has dealt with the amazing and complex
problems of trance and multiple personality,
uHPTejudced by religious or philosophical as
symptoms; and although he is reputed TO have
sDirituaistc leanings. 40 such conviction is dis
cernible in these calmly objective studies. In
addressing the medical students OF Harvard Uni
versity, and later those Of Columbia and Johns
Hopkins, on the symptoms of hysteria. the sci
enlist confined himself closely TO observable facts
and the most certain differences.
While these lectures, in ;heir entirety. by
means intended for readers who have not
interested themselves enough in abnormal psy-
choogy TO be familiar with many technical terms.
they nevertheless embody much information
which every intelligent man and woman must be
eager 70 gain. -. Janet has this to say ct the
outset:
an convinced that in our times every wei
educated man, wishing TO have an opinion on
moral and Philosophical problems, ouGn. 10 Know
something Of this singular mental !!secsa hys-
tc!a, 1cT II has played considerable part IN tie
history Of all relations and sl,Darst+, 11s =, = n
STU PLAYS very important part in all the nest
attractive moral qucstions In the development of
every great religion there have always been
Of lie crowd because their nature seemed 20 be
different from ordinary human -atur,. They had
cAt,ao-ci1arT oblivions renen hrances. they had
FlsloL- '4-75 saw and heard what others could
rot They were iliuElned by odd convictions: they
had IN extraordinary leEcacy OF certain senses
!oineo 70 eXtraVagan; insensIbities which enabled
them 70 bear the most dreadful fortunes with in
difference or even with delight. They could 90
without sleep or sIeep for months AZ = rlrr..
iAey lived without eating drinking, without
satisfying their natural needs is it not such per
sons who have always excited the religious adj
nTation Of peoples. whether sbyls prophets.
Iythcnesses OF Delphi or J2phesus saints Of the
Middle Ages. or estates. Eliminates? Now
they were considered worthy admiration and
Dealllra, now they were called witches de-
incniacs and burned. but bottom they always
csl eau! as'oH-shment and hey played great
tart n the development Of dogInas and creeds.
In declaring al such persons to have been
hysterical. II. Janet cautiously refrains from
constituting this diagnosis as in any way re-
Fiction upon the moral power Of those who
nave been cdnonized martyred; a conserv-
alive and sound position. one must admit too;
theEe being no reason for denying that a mental
abnormaity may not be the means Of giving the
patient real insight into some things Just as
IN other cases il gives him absurd decisions
The scientist is concerned. not with a criticism
OF the moral and religious views held by hys-
terlcals. but solely with the nature and course
Of the mental abnormaiity itself. through which
such views have come to be accepted Since
medicine has become scientific in the modern
EeLse. hysteria has been studied in the lect-
urers opinion far too exclusively from the phys
iological standpoint. "One Of the greatest DIFF
fcul,ies in the medical art" he says. land one
Of the greatest misfortunes Of patients is that
hysterical diseases only we'll characterized
from the moral point OF view. which usually IS
not examined at all: that they are badly char
acteriZed from the physic.l point OF view. and
that they uncommony similar to all kinds
u medical and surgical affections for which
they are easily mistaken. Not long ago I saw
patient who had had eye excised and the
optic nerve cut out for mere homeopathic palms.
Seeking the symptoms of all the various dis
tCEbances OF the mind manifesting themselves
IN trance. sonnambulisnl and multiple person
atty, N. Janet arrives a the conclusion that all
these diseases are but variations manifesto
lions Of true hysteria; for he claims find the
same essential symptoms present In every case.
They may eli be included accurately under the
general definition he gives OF hysteria: "A form
OF mental depression characterized by the re-
traction Of the field OF personal consciousness
and a tendency to the dissertation and eman-
cpation OF the systems Of ideas and functions
shst constitute personality" Doubtless this
definition leaves with the reader two impress
SONS; first. that ". Janet has extended the or
binary meaning Of hysteria TO include con-
TerientIy all the diseases he wants ii to- and,
second, that this talk about the functions
constituting personality is obscure. Both these
Impressions are. after n fashion, correct. But
the extended meaning OF hysteria ceases TO ap-
pear logical trick as soon one has read
This authors presentation Of the way sleep
walkers, hypnotic subjects and ordinary hysteri-
Gals behave. As foE the obscure nature Of per-
sonaty, that is not such hard nut TO crack,
after ell. as will be shown The startling case
Of young French boy, typical of many others
which have come under VI Janets observation.
I'll Illustrate what personality" Is and how X
may be affected.
The subject is 2 boy Of seventeen. At thirteen
Dc often went 70 small public house visited by
Cd sailors They would urge him 70 drink. and
when he somewhat hustered, would III his
imagination with beautiful tales in which oeSerts,
palm trees. Hons cannels and negroes were pict-
aFed In a most wonderful and aliuring way. The
so1hg boy vas very much struck by those plct-
ures particularly he was half tpsy However,
.nsn MS drunkenness wos over the stories seemed
= De quite forgotten; he never spoke OF travels,
Ia or the contrary, LED sedentary lfe for
- haa chosen the placid occupation OF grocer's
now. there came On quite Unforeseen accidents.
~.ost always on the occasion Of some fatigue or
" OF drunkenness. He then felt transformed,
tLsot 70 return home. and thought more OF
lssHlly lie would leave Paris. walk straight
ana 90 through the forest Of Saint German,
s,.@ tar IS the Department OF the Orne. He had
IT, ons ioea left IN his head. namely 10 get TO
80. enlist IN ship, and sail away 10 those
rstbe Ieo countries Of Africa His journeys ended
tr1 0soly; ne would awake suddenly drenched,
nss surviving, either on the higErOad in an