| Description Of Item | Illustration from the collection of Alexander Morison. Signed Ch [Charles] Gow. Reproduced in Morison’s 'Outlines of Lectures' (1848) plate 7.
'Couser D: A female, aged twenty-three, a domestic servant, was admitted into Bethlehem Hospital on the 14th Feb., 1846, labouring under an attack of Mania, of six days duration. Her bodily health, with the exception of irregularity in the menstrual functions, was good. Hereditary tendency strongly existed in this case, her grandfather and uncle having both died insane. The exciting cause of the disorder, was disappointed love. On her admission she was very restless in her conduct, and incoherent, with confusion of memory.
In the course of a few weeks, she appeared convalescent. The menses, however, had not made their appearance; and she suddenly relapsed, and continued insane for about a month, when she again became quiet and rational. In this way, she relapsed three different times. Before her final recovery, she had an attack of erysipelas in her face; and shortly afterwards the menstrual discharge made its appearance, and she appeared quite convalescent. She remained two months longer in the hospital, and was then discharged cured. The second portrait was taken immediately before her discharge.' |