Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 5.djvu/398

 384 THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY

proved it himself, that when intoxicated a man goes home, opens the door, and goes to bed — all this without the least con- sciousness or slightest remembrance of it. This same forget- fulness is shown in alcoholic delirium. The phenomena of amnesia are much more common than it is thought. Vetault gives a number of facts to show that this is the rule under the influence of profound alcoholic intoxication. When there is violent delirium or an approach to noisy alcoholic frenzy, when homicidal impulses of irresistible brutality have sway, there is, upon awaking, no remembrance of the acts. The forgetfulness is as complete as that which follows the paroxysm of epileptic fury, with which the paroxysm of alcoholic fury has numerous points of resemblance.

Francotte says he has examined several accused persons who, having acted under the influence of alcoholic delirium, affirmed that they had retained no memory of the incriminating act. Their recital, and the circumstances surrounding the deed, tended to demonstrate their sincerity.

In the case in point, the phenomena of- drunkenness and the symptoms of alcoholic delirium are a proof, or at least an exte- rior manifestation, of psychic trouble which has given place to forgetfulness.

We give a number of cases' illustrative of alcoholic somnam- bulism. The first is a case of amnesia, whose genuineness cannot be suspected. P., twenty-eight years of age, was brought to an asylum on Wednesday in the afternoon. The police found him on Tuesday, in the morning, at a public place in the city. He had amused himself some time by playing on the doorsills of one of the houses with his watch, with pieces of money, and other small objects. In spite of all efforts to induce him to speak he did not reply to a question. He seemed to have lost completely the use of speech and hearing. He had the appear- ance of an idiot.

The physician called declared that the subject appeared not to hear what was said to him. It was impossible to draw from him a word ; general sensibility seemed abolished.

'Reported by Francotte, Bulard, and Bouchet.