MEDICO-LEGAL ASPECTS OF INSANITY. The plea of insanity as an excuse for crime has been fashionable at intervals. There are cases of im perative impulse in partial degenerative insanity under which the lunatic commits an act which would be a crime in a sane man, but for the lunatic is irresponsible. No case occurs in which but one insane act is committed, while the person was well balanced before that act and remains well balanced forever after it. In au thentic cases, a well-marked history of insanity before the act can be elicited, and insanity continues thereafter. 'Temporary aberration' in an otherwise sane person does not occur. Am nesic and irresponsible intervals occur in psychic epilepsy (see EPILEPSY). during which crime may be committed ; but the preceding and continuing epilepsy will be established. The knowledge of right and wrong is an improper basis upon which to judge the mental condition of a criminal. With a keen sense of right and
wrong. a desire to do the right. and a dread of punishment, an insane person may obey and com mit a crime under the all-powerful compulsion of an imperative impulse. in utter helplessness. But when insanity is established as the cause of a crime, the unfortunate perpetrator should be committed to an asylum in place of a jail. Lunatics should be, in general, confined in hos pitals or retreats. Their prospect of improvement or recovery is never injured by incarceration in a proper institution. Society deserves protection from their acts, fraught with danger to them selves or ethers. The physical and financial interests of their families deserve consideration. Their individual interests are advanced by con finement.