Case CLXXXI

A young girl, sixteen years of age, arrived in Paris early in the year of 1786, with a letter of introduction from her family to a friend. By one of those providential chances, which can only be looked on as the guidance of God, the young girl, having reached her destination, rang the bell of the neighboring house, the door of which was soon opened by a venerable lady, who inquired what she desired. The simplicity and ingenuousness of the young girl impressed the old lady so agreeably that she was immediately received into the house as a servant. Her seal, good conduct, and intelligence wrought so much in her favor that, when M. F., a distinguished artist and worker in bronse, and son to the old lady, died in 1888, he left to Madlle. D., as the most active, efficient, and faithful artisan in his business, a property of from seven to eight hundred thousand francs.

* We have endeavored to diffuse these ideas in an article inserted in Le Droit, 29th of January, 1850, entitled: "Of the influence of hallucinations on certain actions apparently criminal."

† A. Brierre de Boismont, De l'lnterdiction des Alienes et de l'Etat de la Jurisprudence en matiere de testaments dans l'imputation de demence; with notes by M. Isambert, counsellor in the Court of Cassation, Paris, 1852 (Annal d'Hygiene et de Medecine Legale, January, 1852). Devergic, Medecine Legale, 3d edition, 1852, t. i. p. 647.

Then happened that which is but too common in cases of this kind; the relatives of the legatee believed that her mental con-dition was such as to cause anxiety respecting her, no less in the government of her conduct than of her property. They chose to believe that some strange habits, perfectly in harmony with her modes of living and thinking, and some enigmatical and slightly incoherent conversations were sufficient to constitute a state of dementia, for which an act of lunacy, legally pronounced, was the only remedy.

A physician, of unimpeachable probity and acknowledged talent, was appointed by the relatives of Madlle. D. to examine her. He had recourse to such stratagems as we all use, in order to ingratiate ourselves with a person who is represented as in a state of alienation, and who is mistrustful. We are persuaded that the barrister, who spoke so bitterly against our brother, would not have done so, had he been better acquainted with the character of Dr. T., and the great difficulties which attend the interrogation of the alienated. To refute the arguments, without distributing blame so plentifully, would have been but just and right.

The examination by Dr. T. went to prove that Madlle. D. had not the full use of her intellectual faculties, and that she was besides subject to hallucinations.

An action was commenced before the tribunal of the Seine. Madlle. D., being examined, replied with judgment and intelligence. Once only, in regard to a picture, by Duval Lecamus, she said that she perceived the persons represented in it to be no other than her parents; but she speedily corrected this illusion, by saying that she had heard a resemblance to them spoken of.

At the close of the examination, the tribunal gave a verdict rejecting the demand of Monsieur and Madame D. for an act of lunacy.

The case being appealed, Madlle. D. was again examined; her replies were very sensible, with the exception of the following: "What is there to prevent you from marrying?" - "A supernatural power; I cannot tell you more." Messrs. Andral, Bleiny, and Ferrus, who had been instructed by the magistrates to examine into the mental condition of this lady, gave their opinion in these terms: -

"Madlle. D., aged fifty-six, an old domestic of M. F., dealer in curiosities, is gifted with a strong, even a robust constitution, but is more irritable than is usual in persons of her calling. Her mind, of ordinary capacity, appears naturally upright, but inclined to exaltation.

"In character she is honorable and just, but somewhat singular. Her conduct appears to have been irreproachable; we, nevertheless, think that it has not been so without some violent struggles.

"We have discovered the existence of some hallucinations in Madlle. D. dating far back, perhaps from extreme youth. Hallucinations may be considered one of the most striking and characteristic phenomena of mental alienation; but they do not in themselves constitute incontestable mental alienation, nor do they alrfays induce delirium.

"Madlle. D. reasons with perfect correctness as' regards her social relations; she maintains a kind of worship and veneration for her old master, which is betrayed in all her words and actions.

"We are of opinion that the hallucinations of Madlle. D. may, by their nature and long standing, be looked upon as constitutional, and hence beyond the resources of art.

"We think that any treatment, founded on coercion, might induce the lady to dissimulate her condition, and perhaps be the means of determining symptoms of a much more serious character than those which now exist, and which are brought against her.

"(Signed,) Andral,

Bleiny, Ferrus.

"Paris, 13th April, 1843."

After a prolonged discussion in the chamber of council, the court confirmed the sentence, which rejected the claim for an act of lunacy against Madlle. D.

In the case just reported, it is impossible to do otherwise than recognize a well-attested example of hallucinations and illusions. The detailed examination by Dr. T., and the opinion of experienced physicians, leaves no doubt on the subject; but, howsoever certain this fact may be, it is no less true that they in nowise influenced her conduct, that her actions were not reprehensible, and that her replies to the interrogatories, addressed to her, gave no evidence of derangement; we, therefore, heartily concur in the decision of the court.*

Recapitulation. - Hallucinations, single or combined with illusions, may be the cause of a number of reprehensible, dangerous, and criminal resolutions.

Suicide is frequently the result of hallucinations, which exist in the form of apparitions, menaces, and chimerical fears.

Blows, wounds, even assassination are often occasioned by the sight of imaginary enemies, by insults, grimaces, and injuries, which only exist in the imagination of the hallucinated.

Challenges to a duel have often been caused by these errors of the mind.

Hallucinated monomaniacs, who believe themselves the objects of plots and persecution, are very dangerous. Many murders may be refewed exclusively to them. It is not unusual to see persons thus hallucinated, make several successive attempts.

In some cases suicide and murder are commanded by invisible voices.

Dangerous actions, incited by hallucinations, are often the result of illusions.

Maniacal delirium, acute delirium, and that which accompanies febrile affections, may occasion both suicide and homicide.

Resolutions and actions, into which individuals are drawn by hallucinations, sometimes occur quite suddenly. Night, darkness, and solitude appear to favor the disposition.

The condition of sleep, the transition from sleeping to waking, and from waking to sleeping, should be taken into consideration in the perpetration of the acts.

In the greater number of cases, an attentive examination will leave no doubt of the reality of an hallucination, which has suddenly appeared; in doubtful cases, a prolonged confinement must be adopted.

* For this case, see our Memoir on l'Interdiction des Alienes.

Hallucinations may be the exciting causes of theft, incendiarism, and other reprehensible actions.

Illusions produce the same resolutions and the same actions as hallucinations.

The hallucinations and illusions of delirium tremens merit much attention; they are almost always the motives of actions committed during drunkenness.

Hallucinations and illusions are the key to a great many incomprehensible actions.

Confinement is often necessary in hallucinations, but occasionally a contrary course is indicated.

Interdiction should be pronounced against individuals whose hallucinations bring ruin on themselves or their families; but it should not be granted when the individual is inoffensive, and the hallucinations are, as it were, constitutional.

Hallucinations present no obstacles to the power of testating when they are of very long continuance, have not exercised any influence on the conduct, have not perverted sentiments of affection, nor prevented the person from always fulfilling with propriety his social duties.