| Description Of Item | Journal article on dreaming in relation to insanity by Thomas More Madden with cuttings pasted in. Doctor [Johann] Spurzheim’s theory suggests that dreams are caused by certain parts of the cerebrum remaining awake while most of the brain is asleep. Details a patient case where a man with dyspepsia dreamt he was compelled to eat a large amount of molasses and woke with an ‘intensely sweet taste on his palate’. This lasted for eight or ten days after, altering everything he ate. Dr Forbes Winslow’s ‘Obscure Diseases of the Brain’ is mentioned, narrating where dreams have led to serious crimes. Doctor [Johann Friedrich Hermann] Albers’ theory is mentioned, stating that dreams directly correlate to the state of the body – ‘lively dreams are…a sign of the excitement in the nervous system’. [Jean Etienne Dominique] Esquirol’s theory is mentioned - regarding dreams as revealing obscure cases of insanity that are concealed during the day. M. Brierre de Boismont in ‘Des Hallucinations’ 1845, is stated to have recorded cases where patient’s dreams directly aided in the discovery of their mental illness. To close, Thomas More Madden suggests disturbed dreams of fever-patients are likely caused by vascular excitement. It is suggested that severe fevers are frequently preceded by ‘paroniria’ (nightmares) or morbid dreaming. For treatment of paroniria, More Madden suggests a cure of moral and physical remedies – naming alkaline specifically. Details how every source of nervous irritation must be removed in order to give the patient a sound and healthy sleep and ‘the most favourable circumstances’ for recovery.
This journal article is from the collection of Thomas Laycock. |