Contributions: Insanity Illustrated by Histories of Distinguished Men, and by the writings of Poets, and Novelists (p 9); Letter from Sir James Mackintosh to Robert Hall, on the recovery of the latter from his first attack of Insanity (p 46); Asylums for the Incurable Insane (p 50); Number of the Insane and Idiotic of the United States (p 78); Hereditary Insanity (p 92); Definition of Insanity (p 97); On Monomania induced through Imitation translated by T.R. beck (p116); Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity by C.B. Coventry (p 134); Cases of Insanity (p 145); List of Books on Insanity (p 186); The Human Brain (p 191); Psychological Medicine (p 192); The Poetry of Insanity by Pliny Earle (p 193); Statistics of Suicides in the United States by E.K. Hunt (p 225); Cases of Insanity, illustrating the importance of early treatment in preventing suicide (p 243); "Millerism" (p 249); Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity - Trial of Abner Rogers, Jr., for murder (p 258); Exemption of the Cherokee Indians and Africans from Insanity (p 287); Sleep, its importance in preventing Insanity (p 319); Influence of the weather upon the disposition and the mental faculties (p 340); & more. 

In poor condition. As is. Both front and rear boards detached from binding. Marbled boards are scuffed at edge & worn at corners. Head and tail of spine lacking - binding exposed. Gilt lettering on spine chipped & dulled, but still legible. Creases running down spine - fragile binding. Front end-page & fly-leaf detached with front board. Ex-library bookplate found on front end-page: American Psychiatric Museum Association Library. Presented by Jacob Sirkin, M.D., Newark, N.Y.. Signed by presenter above plate. Light toning throughout text-block, with some instances of age-staining. Water dampness staining found on fore-edge of pages 193-288 & 321 - rear paste-down. Cording exposed in some instances throughout text-block. Binding fragile. Please see photos and ask questions, if any, before purchasing. 

 

   This is the FIRST volume of The American Journal of Insanity! A complete year of articles. A range of topics (see list above). Amariah Brigham (1798-1849) was an American psychiatrist and, in 1844, one of the founding members of the Association of Medical Superintendents of American Institutions for the Insane, which eventually became the American Psychiatric Association. While serving as the first director of the Utica Psychiatric Center, Dr. Brigham launched and became the first editor of the Association's official journal, The American Journal of Insanity (now called The American Journal of Psychiatry).  

   An interesting point in this journal is the analytical approach to literature and authors/poets - which the journal claims writers and those of higher intelligence were more prone to mental illness themselves, or at least knew enough about them to successfully describe them in their works. For example, Shakespeare is mentioned as having: 

 "...believed the following facts...

1. That a well-formed brain, a good shaped head, is essential to a good mind. 

2. That insanity is a disease of the brain. 

3. That there is general and partial insanity. 

4. That it is a disease which can be cured by medical means.

  5. That the causes are various, the most common of which he has particularly noticed" (p 28). 

The journal goes on to prove each point. A rather scarce work as the first volume. Perfect candidate for restoration. 

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