CHAPTER V.
Analysis of a Case of Paranoid Dementia as a Paradigm.
Anamnesis: B. St., seamstress, single, born in 1845. Patient was admitted to this hospital in 1887 and since then has remained continuously in the hospital. She is greatly tainted by heredity. Many years before admission she heard voices slandering her. For a time she intended to drown herself. She referred the voices to invisible telephones. She heard that she was a woman of doubtful character, that her child was found in the water closet, and that she stole scissors in order to pierce a child's eyes. (According to the anamnesis the patient led a thoroughly exemplary and quiet life.) The patient used here and there peculiar expressions. She generally employed a rather pretentious style. Her letters of that time will illustrate this:
July 5, 1887.
Dear Superintendent:
With these lines I request you once more to instantly discharge me. My head, as I already remarked to you in my last letter, is clearer than ever. What I have to suffer secretly on account of novelties in all domains is unfortunately known to me alone, and is too smashing for my health as well as for my mind. Unfortunately they have gone so far as to torture to death poor victims by secret cruelties, for I suffer more than you can imagine and in this manner fully expect my end, which sadly touches me more and more. I hope you will act in your place as physician and will have no need of any further reflection.
Yours respectfully, etc.
August 16, 1887.
Dear Sir:
Unfortunately I cannot make it possible for you to appreciate the sad conditions which have intruded themselves. I again call your attention to the simple fact, to discharge me without more ado, as I alone suffer under these novelties, and if you were to
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