DISEASES OF THE BRAIN, AND DISORDERS OF THE MIND: THEIR INCIPIENT SYMPTOMS, PATHOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, PREFACE. THIS work was originally intended as an introductory chapter to a treatise I have for some time been preparing for publication on "Softening, and other types of Organic Disease of the Brain." In consequence of the great and unexpected length to which the contemplated prefatory essay extended, it occurred to me that it would be more consistent with a scientific analysis of the subject to continue my researches, and publish them in a distinct and separate volume, "On the Incipient Symptoms of Obscure Diseases of the Brain, and Disorders of the Mind," as an avant courier, or introduction to the work which is exclusively to relate to the specific and individual types of encephalic disease. Such briefly is the origin of the present treatise. I have anticipated in the first chapter what, strictly speaking, should have been reserved for prefatory observation. The general design of this work, as well as my estimate of the great importance of the subject analysed, will be found there fully detailed. The reader will perceive that I have endeavoured to confine myself to a resumé of the more prominent incipient symptoms of the various forms of cerebral and mental disorder. I could not enter more minutely into an investigation of these subjects without trenching upon matériel which will constitute the bases of two succeeding works: viz., one on Organic Affections of the Brain, and the second on Disorders of the Intelligence, Cerebro-Psychical in their nature. In justice to the reader as well as to myself, I make this explanation, as an apology for the somewhat cursory manner in which I have been obliged to treat the more practical portions of my subject. I refer particularly to those sections of the treatise that relate to the medical treatment of incipient paralysis, apoplexy, softening, as well as other forms of organic cerebral disease and functional mental disorder. It was impossible for me, without greatly enlarging this already too bulky volume, to enter, except in general terms, upon the consideration of the subject of therapeutics. If I had attempted to do otherwise, it would have been necessary for me to have excluded from the work much salient, illustrative, and relevant matter having a direct bearing upon the class of morbid phenomena under analytical investigation. I am bound to confess that I fully and sensitively appreciate the many shortcomings and defects to be found in the following pages. It is not my duty, however, to point them out to the reader. His critical eye will no doubt soon detect all sins of omission and commission, and will, considering the vast extent of ground over which I have had to travel, make every allowance for them. I sincerely trust that I shall not be exposing myself to the imputation of egotism, if I were to repeat what Goldsmith said in his preface to the "Vicar of Wakefield," "There are an hundred faults in this thing, and an hundred things might be said to prove them beauties. But it is needless. A book may be amusing with numerous errors, or it may be dull without a single absurdity." 23, CAVENDISH SQUARE, LONDON, April, 1860. |