LEURET,Francois

FRAGMENS PSYCHOLOGIQUES SUR LA FOLIE.

1834. Item #89672

EARLY PROPONENT OF THE CONCEPT OF CRIMINAL INSANITY LEURET, Francois. FRAGMENS PSYCHOLOGIQUES SUR LA FOLIE. Paris: Crochard, 1834. 426 pp. 8vo. Original printed wrappers. A collection of writings on madness by the head of medecine st Bicetre Hospital in Paris and chief editor of Annales d'hygiene publique et de medecine legale. Covers and first few pages dog-eared. First gathering loose. Light foxing throughout. Scarce. "Leuret was an important figure in the early days of French psychiatry. He stressed the importance of using a rational and humane approach in treatment of the mentally ill, and also believed that the criminally insane were sick individuals who were incapable of controlling their behavior. He felt that the origins of mental illness were unknown, and that it was wrong to define madness from only a somatic standpoint. Leuret's psychiatric theories put him at odds with other French physicians, particularly those who thought that the source of mental illness could be localized to a specific part of the brain's anatomy. He was also scornful of the speculative theory of phrenology." (Wikipedia).

Price: $750.00