Notes of a case of mania, followed by hyperæsthesia and osteomalacia - singular family tendency to excessive constipation and self-mutilation / by Jas. C. Howden.

  • Howden, J. C.
Date:
[between 1890 and 1899?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Notes of a case of mania, followed by hyperæsthesia and osteomalacia - singular family tendency to excessive constipation and self-mutilation / by Jas. C. Howden. 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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    NOTES OF A CASE OF MANIA, FOLLOWED BY HYPERESTHESIA AND OSTEOMALACIA—SINGU- LAR FAMILY TENDENCY TO EXCESSIVE CON- STIPATION AND SELF-MUTILATION. By JAS. C. HOWDEN, M.D., Superintendent, Royal Lunatic Asylum, Montrose. J. C., a mason’s wife, set. 26, first admitted to the Montrose Asylum, 6th March, 1855, labouring under acute mania. No special cause was alleged except a feeble constitution inherited from a mother mentally and physically weak. She had been ill for some days before admission. Imagined that God ordered her to mutilate herself. Attempted to pull out her tongue, and on being restrained she pushed it out of her mouth and suddenly clenching her teeth bit a large portion off. She had a brother in the asylum who was admitted on 10th November, 1854, at the age of 22. He presented symptoms similar to his sister, especially in the tendency to self-mutilation, having gouged out one of his eyes. J. C. was described by her friends as having always been weakly and unfit for much exertion. She had had two children, but could only nurse them for a short time, and after the birth of each had to keep her bed for three months. She recovered, and was discharged on 2nd January, 1857. From this date she remained at home till 30th December, 1867, when she was re-admitted. In the interval she had two children, and after the birth of each made slow recoveries. On this second attack the records of her condition are more complete. Her height is stated 5 ft. 4 in., weight 164 lbs. She was stout and healthy like, pupils somewhat dilated. On admission, she was maniacal and suicidal. Her delusions were of a melancholic religious character. She thought God had ordered her to burn herself in order to purify her soul which would then appear in heaven of pure gold. She ref used food stating that it was unclean, and that she was forbidden sion she took no food, and her bowels were not moved. She o-ot castor oil which did not operate, and it was only after