RT Journal
A1 CHRISTIAN EA
T1 CHronic bright's disease (arterio-capilxary fibrosis) in its relations to insanity.
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1889
FD March 23
VO XII
IS 12
SP 397
OP 403
DO 10.1001/jama.1889.02400890001001
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1889.02400890001001
AB Efforts to frame a satisfactory etiological classification of mental disease have been materially helped by a resort to a clinical grouping of cases. It has been recognized that where a wide variation exists in the causes assigned for the production of insanity in any given series of cases, among certain of them "groups of symptoms" are manifested which point to a definite constantly acting cause. "In many instances we know absolutely that such a cause exists. Even if we do not know that a specific cause is antecedent to the development of a certain form of disease, we are justified in inferring, where symptoms are identical, an identity of cause." Acting upon this theory, it has been possible to frame a rational classification or "clinical grouping" that has simplified much that has hitherto been unsatisfactory and obscure. In spite, however, of the material assistance thus afforded, the lack of a