A

TREATISE

ON THE

MEDICAL JURISPRUDENCE OF INSANITY.

BY I. RAY, M.D.

FIFTH EDITION, WITH ADDITIONS.

BOSTON:

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871, by

LITTLE, BROWN, AND COMPANY,

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

CAMBRIDGE:

PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON.

21131 R26 1871

PREFACE

TO THE FIFTH EDITION.

SINCE the first edition of this book was published, three and thirty years ago, an unprecedented degree of attention has been given to the Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity, and been followed by a remarkable improvement of its condition. Treatises upon it have multiplied, the chapter devoted to it in general works on Medical Jurisprudence has evinced a better conception of the subject, medical journals have abounded with its records, and medical societies have freely and frequently discussed the questions it has raised. The change of sentiment implied in these facts has not been confined to the medical profession. The bench and the bar have yielded more or less to the progress of ideas, and, in spite of some attempts to maintain the old landmarks, they have, on the whole, liberally responded to the requirements of science. Society, too, has become more tolerant of innovations upon the time-honored philosophy of crime, and more willing to accept the conclusions of science. These results may be attributed partly, no doubt, to the more active spirit of inquiry that has pervaded every department of thought, but chiefly to the larger and more intelligent attention given to mental disorders by

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