Cases of suicidal intent in congenital imbeciles / by C.S.W. Cobbold.

  • Cobbold, C. S. W.
Date:
[1886]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases of suicidal intent in congenital imbeciles / by C.S.W. Cobbold. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by King’s College London. The original may be consulted at King’s College London.

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    : an hour's time the patient was as cheerful and calm as if nothing had i happened. Remarks.—In this case again one cannot but be struck with the absurd inadequacy of the annoyance to serve as a motive for suicide; also with the weakness of purpose which fortunately prevented the patient from carrying out his intention. He has since told me that the water was too deep for him to commit suicide. He probably does not fully understand the meaning of suicide, and. thought it was necessary to be very careful not to drown himself. I have purposely refrained from explaining the matter to him, so cannot say exactly how much he knows about it. Since this occurrence S. S. has been perfectly happy and cheerful as usual, and has promised freely never to commit suicide again. J. L. M. was a congenital imbecile, with no idea of number, but able to read a little and make himself useful in small ways, and as a carpenter's labourer. In January, 1885, his age being then 39 years, it was noted, Patient is more restless of late. He went to bed at midday yesterday without any reason for doing so. This morning he put a carving knife to his throat, but I cannot make out that he has any definite suicidal intent; he is perfectly cheerful, constantly laughing, but is 'exceedingly silly, many of his actions being apparently quite purposeless. It is difficult to understand what he says, but he answers questions in the affirmative as to whether he is happy and comfortable ; he also appears to volunteer the statement that he ' doesn't want to kill anybody.' The deputy-head attendant, an intelligent man, who was present when the patient put the knife to his throat, says he feels sure J. L. M. meant to cut his throat; a look in the patient's eyes appears to have been the chief element in pro- ducing this conviction. During the 18 months since this occurrence the patient has been quite happy, and has not made any attempt upon himself. His mental tendency is in the direction of dementia; he talks incoherently, and has lately wet himself several times, which was never the case before. Remarks.—The suicidal tendency in this case appears to have been of the nature of a momentary impulse, occurring without any apparent cause, and unaccompanied by depression or passion of any kind. H. F. S., aged 19, son of a solicitor in New Zealand, stated by his father to be imbecile from birth, was always returned in census as incapable of receiving instruction. Can read fairly. Writing and articulation defective from athetosis. Mother's uncle insane. He is an example of congenital moral imbecility combined with congenital