The morning journal-courier., 1908-05-07

tonuatlons" (to say the leasD of complete sanity.
 The author quotes Don QuXote as l tho accepted type of the semi-insano I folk, which he wishes to study In this volume a type which swarms both in 1 books and on the stage since the birth | of literature; and he then proceeds to present a host of individual cases | of somi-lnsanlN among people of the ordinary sort. not classed as genluses and which Is interesting also to the layman The author then proceeds l to present arguments based on medl- cal and sclentlfc investigation to show that in the semi-lnsane there is weakening of the superior psy- chism and a non-controlled function al hyperactivlty of the inferior psychsm," and further along he adds Scientifically one thing only Is dem istence of intellectual superiority and neurosis inlthe same indlvidual;" | also, The common trunk which unites superiority and neuross Is temperament but Is not disease," also genius Is not neurosis, but a neurosis Is more often the penalty of l genius" Having demonstrated at great length and, unnecessarily so. his theory that there are mentally unbal- anced or semi-lnsane people, whether genIuscs or no, the author proceeds to give his views as 10 treatment of the semi-insane, and especially as to law" The author admits the delica- cy and danger attending attempts to define "attenuated responsibility" in criminal cases, and the imposslhility of measuring exactly mental condi- tons and responsibility. This ques- tion Is argued pro and con at much length with citation of cases and opinions of judges, and ho sums up that tho conclusion seems to be Ccr- tain that the punishment pronounced for the semi-lnsane man, whether lt be diminished or not diminished (that being tho business of the law makers) ought, in all steps taken. to bo carried out under special condi- tions. in a special quarter of the hos pltal." and tho author further holds that at the expiration of the punish ment the seml-insane man ought not to receive his dismissal as n sane criminal does, but the shortening and Tightening of the punishment which he has undergone would be compensated fer by medical surycil- lance and obligatory treatment which should last for certain time longer" Further as Leredu holds, "the crlmi- nal of limited responsibility ought tp bc confined, ait the expiration of his punishment, whenever II s thought necessary, in an asylum until he may be declared cured. This Is a serious measure undoubtedly. but these semi- insane, are often more dangerous than the wholly insane, more dangerous chiefly because, no precautionary measures are taken concerning them |" Tho custom and practice in such cases in Germany. Italy and elsewhere is then given.
 The author having thus worked out his theory proceeds 10 his climax al- ready indicated viz, that in the ease of the criminal insane the punish ment should fit the crime, should he just and equitable punishment deter mined by the court aided by the doc tors, in accordance with the degree of responsibility of tho criminal and that the diseased mind should also re- ceive proper treatment There should be successively a jail and a hospital treatment
 The whole drift of tho hook s to the end of helping awaken public sentiment to Q deeper appreciation of the duty of tho state toward the un- fortunates who are slightly unbal- anced mentally, and with special ref ercnce to the criminal cases