Observations on Insanity With Practical Remarks on the Disease and an Account of the Morbid Appearances on Dissection

"Observations on Insanity" by John Haslam is a scientific exploration of mental disorders based on the author's work at Bethlem Hospital in the late 1700s. It examines insanity through definitions, symptoms, and potential causes, using observations from dissections of patients who had the disorder when they died. Haslam explains his reasons for writing, focusing on the need for a better understanding of mental illness through clear symptom identification and careful observation. The book introduces the reader to different kinds of madness, discussing what might cause them and the varying results patients experienced. He combines his own experiences with detailed analysis to clarify the specifics of insanity, hoping to help both scholars and the general public understand the topic.