Page:The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 1876.djvu/592

584 Azam — Periodical Amnesia.

Translated from the Revue Scientifique, by James I. Tucker, A. M., M. D. Chicago, Ill.

I AM going to relate the history of a young woman whose existence is tormented by an impairment of memory, which is without a parallel in science. This impairment is of such a character that it suggests the question whether this young wo- man may not live two separate existences. Whatever may be the nature of the phenomena, I am about to describe, they deserve the careful consideration and reflection of psychologists, for if physiology cannot do without the study of maladies, neither can the study of the mental faculties, which is nothing but the physiology of the highest order of faculties, be carried on with- out an analysis of their lesions.

In view of a subject almost, or entirely new, experiencing some embarrassment in choosing a title, I have preferred to leave the choice to the reader. After the reading he can de- cide what designation he prefers. lie will certainly be indul- gent and pay close attention, for the terms and words which I I shall make use of, are ordinary ones, changed somewhat, from their ordinary acceptation, and might occasion some ob- scurity.

Furthermore, I beg the reader to remember that, as a physi- cian, I relate, to the best of my ability, an observation which belongs more to psychology, than to medicine, and, that being only a narrator of facts, I have not taken part for or against such a delicate solution as may be deduced from its analysis.

The reflections which conclude my communication are rather calculated to complete it, than lend color to a discussion. In