| Description Of Item | Illustration from the collection of Alexander Morison. Similar to plate 74 of Morison’s 'The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases' (1840). Signed A J [Alexander Johnston].
'Portrait of J. H. aged 22.
This young man about the age of fifteen addicted himself to the baneful practice of self-pollution, the consequence of which was weakness of body and of mind, so great as to render him quite unfit for his situation as a clerk; he has been in confinement for upwards of five years, and when not strictly watched, indulges in his pernicious propensity, and has even attempted to gratify one of a more revolting nature. He does not appear to labour under any delusions, but his mind is so enfeebled that he is totally unfit for any occupation; he appears to have some remains of shame, for he endeavours to go out of the way when, spoken to; he sometimes answers questions put to him, but never asks any.' |