158
Art. XIV.?NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT IN THE TREATMENT OF THE INSANE. By Dr. TAGrUET, Assistant Medical Officer of the Asylum of Ville Evrard; and Dr. ROME, Royal Lunatic Asylum, Dundee, N.B.
In January 1876, Dr. Ponza announced to his professional brethren a new mode of treatment of mental affections bycoloured light. This intimation was hailed by the press and by public opinion. An interest was manifested by psychologists generally to test a plan which appeared to secure benefit in cases the most chronic and desperate. There was no difficulty or delay in accepting this new light in the asylum of VilleEvrard, where the inmates have an undoubted right to every Here bromide of potassium, arsemeans of rational treatment. nite of soda, chloral, hypodermic injections of morphia, have all in turn been subjected to experiment and observation. The results of our inquiries have already been submitted to the public in all truth and sincerity, and with perfect respect to our fellow labourers. That all nervous disorders are not affections of the mind, is proved when we are called to treat a case of moral insanity, and by the success of David in calming the jealous spirit of Saul by music, and similar instances of the influence of one mind over the temper or turbulence of another. A.?As, according to Dr. Ponza, the blue light invariably exercises a physiological action upon the eye and mind, we naturally initiated our experience with the application of this colour in cases of maniacal excitation, reserving our inquiry as to the effects of the violet until we had reached some satisfactory results. Our experimental chamber is upon the ground-floor, faces the south-east, and receives the luminous rays directly and uninterruptedly through squares of blue glass; they are reflected upon walls, and upon a door glazed with glass of the same tint, so that at certain hours the whole apartment is bathed in this colour. In the distance there are large trees, and a village perched on the slopes, so that these objects mingle with the blue of the sky. The first patient subjected to examination suffered under the first stage of general paralysis, and was so excited that restraint in a chair was absolutely necessary. For three hours tranquillity did not follow, the eyelids were closed, and the heat of the body remained unchanged. On the following days the results were likewise negative. The second patient was acutely maniacal, occasionally refusing food, notwithstanding moral and physical means to overcome the tendency. We were equally unsuccessful with a number of other patients, and
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT.
159
marked degree with one labouring under hysteria. The effect only produced on the latter was, that she declared the chamber to be assuredly original. One of our learned confreres is correct in describing the blue light as productive of a strange sort of oppression, added to which there are feelings of giddiand resembling ness, fatigue?short, however, of somnolency, Similar failures were met with more weariness and exhaustion. in the of the Superintendent of Moscow.?Annates
in
a
practice
Med. Psy., November 1876. B.?Dr. Eorie, Medical Superintendent, Dundee Lunatic 1876) as follows Asylum, N.B., writes (p. 22, Annual Report, " The only matter worthy of reference in the treatment pursued made to test the value of the
arrangements have been of Alexandria, of system recently recommended by Dr. Ponza, the action of coloured of by forms insanity certain treating Medical Journal light. The following extract from the British Dr. these of investigations. and will explain the nature theory in placing his Ponza's experiments consisted, in the abstract^ and violet, with most patients in chambers coloured red, blue,
is,
that
a melancholic results. In the red room he placed hours afterwards tlnee who man who had refused his food, but he placed a cliambei blue the In was found lively and hungry. within an hour. In violent lunatic, who became much quieter Of all the rays results. a violet room he procured equally good which the most those possess are of the spectrum the violet devoid of calointense electro-chemical rays; whilst the blue, in fact the negative of rific, chemical, or electric rays, are violent accesses of in calming useful excitement, and are most fitted up, one for the fury. Two rooms have been recently On two occablue of light. other admission of red, and the was found to lesult sions marked diminution of excitement but as yet the cases from placing a patient in the blue chamber, too few to warrant a more been have submitted to treatment of placing certain decided opinion being given. The benefit them fiom all thus and removing patients in darkened rooms, It has been long known. irritation, and sources of excitement if not more marked is not improbable, therefore, that similar, be regarded as a more highly benefit, will result from what may of this fact. and a more scientific application developed this of subject, says in a C.?Dr. Eorie, in continuation am not yet inclined to write a "I letter dated December 11, I find it so difficult to decide paper upon Colouration cure. effects may be due to the chromatic how much of the sedative mere isolation of the the to patient. much how influences, and Should you be inclined to refer to the subject in any paper or are the general results I have note, however, the following
surprising
160
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOUHED LIGHT.
arrived at. The blue room lias unquestionably greater effect in lessening and subduing tlie excitement of patients than dark seclusion?I mean putting a patient to bed and shutting out all light. In some cases this effect appears to arise from astonishment, on the part of the patient, at the novel position in which lie finds himself; in others, apparently, from the soothing influence of the light itself. In some cases, patients seized with sudden violent paroxysms of excitement have become quite quiet, and fit to mix with others in ten minutes time. The last striking case I have had was that of a female pauper patient, who had been in a state of sleeplessness and excitement for a week, and refused food. On admission in the evening, she had some supper and a warm bath, and was put comfortably to bed in the blue room, with the shutters closed. She slept In the morning the shutter was thrown none during the night. back and the blue light admitted, and after a good breakfast of porridge and milk she slept soundly all day. But how much of this was due to the blue light, and how much to the porridge ? In a case of chronic mania benefit resulted at first, but, to a considerable extent failed afterwards, probably from the patient ceasing to be surprised or amused at his surroundings. In another case of chronic mania, with less mental power than the above, no greater benefit resulted than was to be expected from the isolation of the patient. The red room has not been so much used as the other, and has, with one exception, given negative results. This was in the case of a general paralytic, who, instead of being blessed with the usual euthanasia, common to such cases, was dull, whining, and depressed. On his removal to the red room (at first merely as a matter of convenience), he was found to be cheerful and happy, and whenever taken from the room, entreated to be taken back to it, apparently feeling relief and satisfaction in basking, so to speak, in the red rays. Altogether I have been so satisfied with the result, that I have had a blue room fitted up on the female side of the house, as well as the male side. Before any definite opinion can be given, however, I think the experiment will have to be tried on a much larger scale, say fitting up the windows of an ordinary refractory ward, containing from twelve to twenty patients, as in the wards of an Ophthalmic Infirmary. In addition to the effects of colour, assumed to be therapeutic, there fall to be noticed what may be called the natural or physiological influence of the same agent on life and growth in a volume addressed to the Philadelphia Agricultural Society in 1876, by General A. J. Peasanton. These have been tested by this inquirer, chiefly in the operation of blue light upon the rearing of vines, poultry, pigs, and sickly children. Electricity
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT.
161
supposed to be the stimulus by which the gigantic and extraordinary results recorded are produced. Of the rapidity and extent of such results an opinion may be formed from the statement that the author's vines grew forty-five feet in five months, and that, planted in 1861, they yielded 1,200 pounds of grapes in 1862 and two tons in 1863. Although these and is
similar results savour somewhat of the. marvellous and monois to be repeated in we understand that the experiment this country. In order to place the whole subject in harmony, the book is printed in blue ink, and appears in dark blue covers.
ideastic
PART I.
VOL. III.?NEW SERIES.
Art. XIV.?NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT IN THE TREATMENT OF THE INSANE. By Dr. TAGrUET, Assistant Medical Officer of the Asylum of Ville Evrard; and Dr. ROME, Royal Lunatic Asylum, Dundee, N.B.
In January 1876, Dr. Ponza announced to his professional brethren a new mode of treatment of mental affections bycoloured light. This intimation was hailed by the press and by public opinion. An interest was manifested by psychologists generally to test a plan which appeared to secure benefit in cases the most chronic and desperate. There was no difficulty or delay in accepting this new light in the asylum of VilleEvrard, where the inmates have an undoubted right to every Here bromide of potassium, arsemeans of rational treatment. nite of soda, chloral, hypodermic injections of morphia, have all in turn been subjected to experiment and observation. The results of our inquiries have already been submitted to the public in all truth and sincerity, and with perfect respect to our fellow labourers. That all nervous disorders are not affections of the mind, is proved when we are called to treat a case of moral insanity, and by the success of David in calming the jealous spirit of Saul by music, and similar instances of the influence of one mind over the temper or turbulence of another. A.?As, according to Dr. Ponza, the blue light invariably exercises a physiological action upon the eye and mind, we naturally initiated our experience with the application of this colour in cases of maniacal excitation, reserving our inquiry as to the effects of the violet until we had reached some satisfactory results. Our experimental chamber is upon the ground-floor, faces the south-east, and receives the luminous rays directly and uninterruptedly through squares of blue glass; they are reflected upon walls, and upon a door glazed with glass of the same tint, so that at certain hours the whole apartment is bathed in this colour. In the distance there are large trees, and a village perched on the slopes, so that these objects mingle with the blue of the sky. The first patient subjected to examination suffered under the first stage of general paralysis, and was so excited that restraint in a chair was absolutely necessary. For three hours tranquillity did not follow, the eyelids were closed, and the heat of the body remained unchanged. On the following days the results were likewise negative. The second patient was acutely maniacal, occasionally refusing food, notwithstanding moral and physical means to overcome the tendency. We were equally unsuccessful with a number of other patients, and
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT.
159
marked degree with one labouring under hysteria. The effect only produced on the latter was, that she declared the chamber to be assuredly original. One of our learned confreres is correct in describing the blue light as productive of a strange sort of oppression, added to which there are feelings of giddiand resembling ness, fatigue?short, however, of somnolency, Similar failures were met with more weariness and exhaustion. in the of the Superintendent of Moscow.?Annates
in
a
practice
Med. Psy., November 1876. B.?Dr. Eorie, Medical Superintendent, Dundee Lunatic 1876) as follows Asylum, N.B., writes (p. 22, Annual Report, " The only matter worthy of reference in the treatment pursued made to test the value of the
arrangements have been of Alexandria, of system recently recommended by Dr. Ponza, the action of coloured of by forms insanity certain treating Medical Journal light. The following extract from the British Dr. these of investigations. and will explain the nature theory in placing his Ponza's experiments consisted, in the abstract^ and violet, with most patients in chambers coloured red, blue,
is,
that
a melancholic results. In the red room he placed hours afterwards tlnee who man who had refused his food, but he placed a cliambei blue the In was found lively and hungry. within an hour. In violent lunatic, who became much quieter Of all the rays results. a violet room he procured equally good which the most those possess are of the spectrum the violet devoid of calointense electro-chemical rays; whilst the blue, in fact the negative of rific, chemical, or electric rays, are violent accesses of in calming useful excitement, and are most fitted up, one for the fury. Two rooms have been recently On two occablue of light. other admission of red, and the was found to lesult sions marked diminution of excitement but as yet the cases from placing a patient in the blue chamber, too few to warrant a more been have submitted to treatment of placing certain decided opinion being given. The benefit them fiom all thus and removing patients in darkened rooms, It has been long known. irritation, and sources of excitement if not more marked is not improbable, therefore, that similar, be regarded as a more highly benefit, will result from what may of this fact. and a more scientific application developed this of subject, says in a C.?Dr. Eorie, in continuation am not yet inclined to write a "I letter dated December 11, I find it so difficult to decide paper upon Colouration cure. effects may be due to the chromatic how much of the sedative mere isolation of the the to patient. much how influences, and Should you be inclined to refer to the subject in any paper or are the general results I have note, however, the following
surprising
160
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOUHED LIGHT.
arrived at. The blue room lias unquestionably greater effect in lessening and subduing tlie excitement of patients than dark seclusion?I mean putting a patient to bed and shutting out all light. In some cases this effect appears to arise from astonishment, on the part of the patient, at the novel position in which lie finds himself; in others, apparently, from the soothing influence of the light itself. In some cases, patients seized with sudden violent paroxysms of excitement have become quite quiet, and fit to mix with others in ten minutes time. The last striking case I have had was that of a female pauper patient, who had been in a state of sleeplessness and excitement for a week, and refused food. On admission in the evening, she had some supper and a warm bath, and was put comfortably to bed in the blue room, with the shutters closed. She slept In the morning the shutter was thrown none during the night. back and the blue light admitted, and after a good breakfast of porridge and milk she slept soundly all day. But how much of this was due to the blue light, and how much to the porridge ? In a case of chronic mania benefit resulted at first, but, to a considerable extent failed afterwards, probably from the patient ceasing to be surprised or amused at his surroundings. In another case of chronic mania, with less mental power than the above, no greater benefit resulted than was to be expected from the isolation of the patient. The red room has not been so much used as the other, and has, with one exception, given negative results. This was in the case of a general paralytic, who, instead of being blessed with the usual euthanasia, common to such cases, was dull, whining, and depressed. On his removal to the red room (at first merely as a matter of convenience), he was found to be cheerful and happy, and whenever taken from the room, entreated to be taken back to it, apparently feeling relief and satisfaction in basking, so to speak, in the red rays. Altogether I have been so satisfied with the result, that I have had a blue room fitted up on the female side of the house, as well as the male side. Before any definite opinion can be given, however, I think the experiment will have to be tried on a much larger scale, say fitting up the windows of an ordinary refractory ward, containing from twelve to twenty patients, as in the wards of an Ophthalmic Infirmary. In addition to the effects of colour, assumed to be therapeutic, there fall to be noticed what may be called the natural or physiological influence of the same agent on life and growth in a volume addressed to the Philadelphia Agricultural Society in 1876, by General A. J. Peasanton. These have been tested by this inquirer, chiefly in the operation of blue light upon the rearing of vines, poultry, pigs, and sickly children. Electricity
NOTES UPON THE INFLUENCE OF COLOURED LIGHT.
161
supposed to be the stimulus by which the gigantic and extraordinary results recorded are produced. Of the rapidity and extent of such results an opinion may be formed from the statement that the author's vines grew forty-five feet in five months, and that, planted in 1861, they yielded 1,200 pounds of grapes in 1862 and two tons in 1863. Although these and is
similar results savour somewhat of the. marvellous and monois to be repeated in we understand that the experiment this country. In order to place the whole subject in harmony, the book is printed in blue ink, and appears in dark blue covers.
ideastic
PART I.
VOL. III.?NEW SERIES.
