Psychiatric taxonomies, always a little uncertain, are most confused and illogical when they endeavour to encompass the moral and legal aspects of human behaviour. The concept of moral insanity represented a step backwards when it came into being, but it has persisted for a century and a half, changing only its title. Its creation and its subsequent history exemplify some of the common errors in psychiatric theorising.
References
1.
KerferdG.B.Theophrastus. In: Edwards P., Ed. in Chief. The encyclopaedia of philosophy. New York: Macmillan Publishing Co. Inc. and The Free Press, 1972;8:99
2.
SydenhamT. The Works of Thomas Sydenham, M.D., translated from the Latin Edition of Dr Greenhill with a life of the author, by R.G. Latham, M.D. etc. etc. etc. London: The Sydenham Society, 1844;1:13–14
3.
Encyclopaedia Britannica. Chicago: William Benton, 1962; 14:173–174
4.
MacDonaldM. Mystical Bedlam. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1983;123
5.
ArnoldT. Observations on the nature, kinds, causes and prevention of insanity, 2nd Edition, corrected and improved. London: Richard Phillips, 1806; 1:93
6.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:lv
7.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:vii
8.
Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 3rd Edition.American Psychiatric Association, 1980;6–7
9.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:187
10.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:xiv
11.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:xi
12.
ArnoldT. loc.cit.: l:viii
13.
DainN. Concepts of insanity in the United States, 1789–1865. New Brunswick, New Jersey; Rutgers University Press, 1964:34
14.
PrichardJC. A treatise on insanity and other disorders affecting the mind. Philadelphia: Haswell, Barrington, and Haswell, 1837:19
15.
PrichardJ.C. loc.cit.: 15
16.
CombeG. The constitution of man considered in relation to external objects. New York: Daniel Appleton and Co., 1838:52–53
17.
FowlerO.S.Fowler's practical phrenology: giving a concise elementary view of phrenology; presenting some new and important remarks on the temperaments; and describing the primary mental powers in seven different degrees of development: the mental phenomena produced by their combined action; and the location of the organs amply illustrated by cuts. New York: Fowler and Wells Phrenological Cabinet, 1849:2–3
O'NeilW.M.Factors and faculties. Australasian Journal of Psychology and Philosophy, 1944;22:55–69
20.
TukeD.H. Ed. A dictionary of psychological medicine. London: J and A Churchill, 1892;1:231
21.
RayI. A treatise on the medical jurisprudence of insanity. 5th Edition, with additions. Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1871:209 et seq
22.
PinelP. A treatise on insanity, in which are contained the principles of a new and more practical nosology of maniacal disorders, transl. DavisD.D.Sheffield: Caddell and Davies, 1806;26
23.
RayI. loc.cit.: 254
24.
RayI. loc.cit.: 257–8
25.
DainN. loc.cit.: 79
26.
HendersonDGillespieR.D.A textbook of psychiatry for students and practitioners. Seventh ed.London: Oxford University Press, 1950;389
27.
BlandfordG.F.Insanity and its treatment. Philadelphia: Henry C Lee, 1871;312
28.
MaudsleyH. Responsibility in mental disease. New York: D. Appleton and Company, 1897, 69
29.
SpitzkaE.C.Insanity: its classification, diagnosis and treatment. New York: E.B.Treat, 1887;281
30.
RayI. loc.cit.: 209 et seq
31.
RayI. loc.cit.: 283
32.
WoottonB. Social science and social pathology. London: George Allen and Unwin Ltd, 1959:138
33.
WoottonB. loc.cit.: 249–250
34.
CheckleyH. The mask of sanity. St. Louis: The CV Mosby Company, 1941:176
35.
CleckleyH. loc.cit
36.
WoottonB. loc.cit.: 250
37.
HendersonDGillespieR.D. loc.cit.: 404
38.
A psychiatric glossary. American Psychiatric Association. 4th Ed.New York: Basic Books, 1975:126
