The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette. — 1858-01-12 (Dorchester, Dorset, England)

RELIGIOUS MELANCHOLY.—The following graphic description by Dr. Conolly on an engraving published in the Medical Times from a photographic portrait of a young woman labouring under religious melancholy will be read with interest :—" In this form of melancholy there is no worldly despondency, nor thought of common calamities or vulgar ruin; but a deeper horror: a fixed belief, against which all arguments are powerless, and all consolation vain; a belief of having displeased the Great Creator, and of being hopelessly shut out from mercy and from heaven. This portrait, therefore, does not reflect the figure of patients so often recognised in asylums, sitting on benches by lonely walls, the hands clasped on the bosom, the leadea eye bent on the ground, and the unvarying gloom excluding variety of reflection. It represents an affliction more defined. We discern the outward marks of a mind which, seemingly, after long wandering in the mazes of religious doubt, and struggling with spiritual niceties too perplexing for human solution, Is now overshadowed by despair. The high and wide forehead, generally indicative of intelligence and imagination ; the slightly bent bead, leaning disconsolately on the hand; the absence from that collapsed cheek of every trace of gaiety; the mouth inexpressive of any varied emotion ; the deep orbits and the long characteristic eyebrows; all seem painfully to indicate the present mood and general temperament of the patient. The black hair is heedlessly premed back; the dress, though neat, has a conventual plainness; the sacred emblem worn round the neck is not worn for ornament. The lips are well-formed, and compressed; the angle of the jaw is rather large ; the ear seems well. ; a force of character appears to be thus indicated, as well as a capacity of energetic expression; whilst the womanly figure, the somewhat ample chest and pelvis (less expressed in the engraving than in the photograph) belong to a general constitution out of which, in health and vigour, may have grown up some self-accusing thoughts in an innocent and devout, but passionate heart. For this perverting malady makes even the natural instincts appear sinful; and the sufferer forgets that God implanted them. But the conflict in the case before us is chiefly intellectual. The meditations of that large brain are not employed on worldly cares, nor even on affections chilled, nor temporal hopes broken. They are engaged in religious scruples, far too perplexing for its power to overcome. In the meantime all the ordinary affections, from which consolation might be derived, are shut out. Soon, perhaps, the scruples themselves will appear crimes.. To escape future punishrunt, bodily mortifications must be endured; severe fasts, or some self-inflicted pain. Under these, the , bodily strength, usually impaired in the commencement of the attack, becomes further impaired. The digestion becomes feeble, and even the sparest meals occasion suffering. Emaciation takes place; often proceeding to an extreme degree. The uterine functions (for the subjects of this form of malady are usually women,) are suppressed. Paroxysms of excitement may occur, with sudden activity in the prosecution of schemes of vaguest import; but with these futile efforts misgivings become mingled. The thought of suicide, often suggested, becomes fixed; and such varied and ingenious efforts are made to carry it into effect as to cieniand incessant vigilance. Yet, even in this state there may be days in which the mind is tranquillised, and needle-work is resumed, or the music of happier times is played once more. But these gleams are transient. The mind loses its energy; debility invades every function ; pulmonary or mesenteric disease supervenes; the limbs become anasarcous ; and the wretched patient is only relieved by death."