Mania (artist unknown, 1837)
This is the original drawing for Plate XI of Sir Alexander Morison's 1840 book The Physiognomy of Mental Diseases. The accompanying text reads:
A.H. aged 60, has been subject to periodical attacks of Mania for many years, the paroxysms occur at intervals of about six weeks, and last ten or twelve days; they commence suddenly; he kneels down, prays and sings very loudly, and soon becomes violent and dangerous. In one of his paroxysms he unfortunately got hold of a female, who was giving him food, and killed her. He has a powerful voice, and is extremely noisy and violent; after a fit of epilepsy, to which he is subject, the violence begins to abate, which is contrary to the usual course of epileptic Mania, the fit generally aggravating the maniacal symptoms.
With thanks to Iain Milne, Head of Library and Information Services, John Dallas, Rare Books Librarian, and staff at the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh.
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