Book Description

Excerpt from Hallucinations: Or the Rational History of Apparitions, Visions, Dreams, Ecstasy, Magnetism, and Somnambulism The highly interesting subjects discussed in this volume, written by a very distinguished French physician, have seemed to demand a careful translation, in order that its usefulness may be more generally diffused. One of the principal propositions which the talented author has undertaken to prove is, that hallucination is not a necessary accompaniment or symptom of insanity, but that in certain cases it may be considered as a purely physiological phenomenon. He insists on the necessity of establishing an intimate union between philosophy and medicine; especially in the treatment of mental diseases. "Psychological facts," he argues, "cannot be placed on the same line with sensible facts. The brain may be the seat, but is not the creator of intellectual operations. Ideas pre-exist their sensible signs." "Does not," he argues, "the analysis of different kinds of delirium afford a solid and experimental basis to metaphysics? And is not the study of mysticism indispensable for the correct appreciation of mental alienation?" M. Brierre de Boismont treats the important and hitherto neglected subject of hallucination in various points of view, inasmuch as it bears important relations to philosophy, medicine, religion, history, morality, and jurisprudence. The apparitions of Holy Writ are handled with the reverence befitting a Christian, whilst much light is thrown on the probable origin of the hallucinations of many celebrated personages whose characters and actions were so exalted as to place them apparently above humanity. The book will offer attractions to many classes of readers. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.