Albert Wilson

“ Is it not for our profession to collect evidence which might lead to a better protection for society and a different principle on which to deal with the ever-multiplying criminal population?
B 8 was a short-lived personality, lasting only four days. On June 20th, 1896, she had convulsions, and was very lost. The following morning she knew no one, and said she was only born last night, so how could she know anything? However, she could read. Perhaps this is more a confusional or lost condition, post-epileptic. Still she was quite ignorant both of her normal self (A) or of any other sub-stage. ”

“ Education and experience must equip various groups or districts of cells and association centres. The more groups so developed, the higher the state of memory and intellect. Thus each life, or the true Ego, is made up of so many active mental centres or personalities, some good and some bad according to circumstances, inherited or acquired. Where the binding cement is weak, we get the mentally unstable as here, and this opens the very serious question which constantly affronts us—that of Responsibility.
Résumé of Sub-stages. ”

“ There is exaggerated ideation and motor explosion in cases of cortical hyperæmia or congestion. Such might be the case here during the maniacal attacks B 1. But where loss of memory occurs as in the B 2 sub-stage, is it not possible to conceive that the blood-supply may have been shut off in the Broca area, or part of it? The microscope reveals to us only some of the finer blood-vessels and capillaries of the cortex, but it has not yet shown us the most delicate system of channels which bathe the individual cells and fibres in lymph or serum. ”

“ Another illustration of the isolation of different sub-stages was shown by the following occurrence:—Once, whilst showing me a toy wigwam which had been given to her in the B 3 or "Old Nick" stage, she being then in that state, she suddenly dropped the toy and passed into a new stage, a variation of "Good thing" or "Good creature" (B6) . In this new personality she commenced talking, but could not be induced to take any interest in the wigwam, which she declared she had never seen or handled before. As soon as she returned to B 3 she resumed her interest in the toy. ”

“ The point that I wish to raise is that the vaso-motor changes would first affect these more distant cortical areas rather than the deeper strata, producing more psychic disturbance.
A sharp line of demarcation caused by the influenza and meningitis shut off the more superficial and external layer of developing pyramids with its mental pictures and memories. We may regard these higher psychic areas as damaged, for we see the ravages of meningitis, especially among the children of the poor. ”

“ This brain area ought to be easily localised—namely, the centre of speech and hearing with their association fibres. Arterial spasm or anæmia of these convolutions might explain the phenomenon.
B 5 was a personality which only came once and lasted about three weeks. It arrived on December 1st, 1895. In this sub-stage she says she was only three days old, and knew no one at first. She understands everything in the house, and is very good in helping her mother. She writes in the ordinary way, but if asked to spell a word does so backwards. ”

“ As it has been shown by Bolton that the more superficial layers of small pyramidal cells of the cortex develop later than the deeper layers of larger pyramids, is it possible that the deep pyramidal layers were now called into activity by some stimulation, vascular or otherwise? ”

“ It commends itself to common sense that the deeper layers precede the more external and superficial in development and evolution. The converse I have seen in the brain of an alcoholic wreck, with mental enfeeblement and degeneration even of the lower nervous system. In this case the superficial layer of small pyramids was distinctly atrophied. The association fibres did not show a corresponding amount of degeneration and disappearance as if they were hitched on to deeper strata of cells. ”

“ Other opinions might incline to a paralysis of Bolton’s visual area.
Was the imbecility due to the blindness, or did it coincide, due to a shutting off of higher psychic centres, as the prefrontal? How, also, can we account for the extra keenness of touch and hearing, as with those who are blind for years? This mental darkness lasted for three to four weeks from December 29th, 1896; but she returned suddenly to the normal on two occasions. On January 3rd, 1897, she suddenly regained her sight and became her normal self for about two minutes. ”

“ Though the influenza passed off in a week, yet she was left with an attack of meningitis, and remained in a serious condition for six weeks. There was a high temperature, intense headache aggravated by light and sound, and great weakness. In the third week she was delirious and maniacal. She had intense fear, chiefly of imaginary snakes. During the attacks, though so weak, she developed great strength. ”

“ There is inability to stand, but she can move her feet and crawl. Cataleptic attacks occur. Sometimes she is drawn up like a ball, so that one can lift her en masse by one limb. They last about ten minutes, and any sudden noise or start will bring them on. ”

“ I think the tendency of to-day is to regard hysteria and its many manifestations as a disease of the sympathetic system. We all know the patches of flushing that occur on the face and neck of certain persons ”

“ Using her correct name, she says she is very cross with that person for going and leaving her. She also says she hates that person, for every one likes that person but does not like her, meaning in her present abnormal state. ”

“ Often paralysis of legs, ignorant. Very constant visitor for the first year.
B 3. "Old Nick." Bad temper, can read and write. The best health of any of the sub-stages. Frequent visitor for three years. ”