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And this is offered by one who himself brings into the discussion of a strictly scientific topic, before an association of medical men, his own personal and theological opinion.

This defence or apology, however well intended, does not meet the case at all, and, moreover, is not needed. For let us look at the facts, both as related to these particular individuals to whom reference is made and the profession generally.

Pinel and Esquirol, and for that matter Dr. Brigham, were about as far removed from any disposition to defer to superstitious notions as men could well be. They were always ready and willing to follow scientific observation to any conclusion to which it might lead. Besides, the superstitious notions referred to had been dead and buried, so far as alienists were concerned, for centuries. In science generally, or in the special department of medicine, materialism is no new doctrine. At intervals, its ebb and flow can be traced as far back as the history of science goes. Moreover, human consciousness, in health or sickness, has been substantially the same, whenever and wherever civilization has so obtained as to leave any men or class of men above the necessity of a close devotion to the supply of their daily and immediate physical wants.

To all this sum of prior experience in medical science and psychological knowledge were added opportunities of observation, in relation to insanity, equal to those of our own time. Besides, in intellectual attainments, habits of mind and enthusiasm in their work, these men have had no superiors since. To talk, then, about the influence of superstitious notions upon alienists like these seems quite absurd.

But let us look at the prevailing opinion at the period preceding, say, the last twenty years.

For many years before our time, certainly, the doctrines held upon the subject of the causation of insanity have been substantially those held, I suppose, by the majority of the profession now. These opinions were and are the embodiment of the experience and wisdom of medical men from the earliest times. It was neither believed that man consisted of body alone, or mind alone. He was a compound being, with the physical and mental nature so intimately related that the functions of the one could not be disturbed without deranging the functions of the other; and, if the disturbing cause was long continued, there was a reciprocal, untoward influence on the nature first affected; there was organic disease produced, or mental derangement, or both.

The brain was regarded as the organ of mind, the instrument through which the sensational basis of thought or mental action was received, one remove nearer the thinking ego than the nerves of sensation, and the organ of mind in fulfilling its purposes; behind, in course and action, the nerves of voluntary motion. Like the other and subsidiary portions of the nervous system, it is subject to all the laws, conditions, and effects of agency. In adequately estimating the nature of this compound being, consciousness is to be consulted as well as physiology.

How, the early alienists, in studying insanity, brought to bear upon it the physiological and pathological knowledge of their times, and also the testimony of their own consciousness when under the influence of abnormal sensations, false reasonings, violent emotions, and perverted states of will. And why not? -- for, the dividing line between physical health and disease is no more dubious and uncertain than the boundary between sanity and mental derangement. (2)