A Treatise on Cures to Mental Malignations

[Sagwort 833]

A Treatise on Cures to Mental Malignations

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In the following articles I hope to strictly define my findings on the curing of the ill psyche.  The mentally unstable being is a tragic figure, thus, it is the duty of the experimentalist and philosopher to generate effective and efficient panaceas to the most debilitating of malignancies.  The subsequent remedies outlined thusly are, hence, experimentally proven.  I have penetrated deep into the material mind and emerged the other end an enlightened man.

 

Dr. Ambros, Wiz.D.

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Allow me to preface this article by denouncing one particular cure, that is, trepanation or the drilling of a hole into one’s head in order to drive out demons or other ill-intent spirits which might cause cerebral maladies.  I myself have attempted this form of treatment on several civilians patients and found it to be far from effective.  If one believes they are infected by a demonic force, I would suggest they speak with their nearest local priest in order for a professional exorcism to be executed.

 

 

Note that the best form of treatment is a mixture of all the following.  It is difficult to determine which treatment works best for each patient, thus, it is far safer and efficient if the practitioner conducts all form of treatment on the patient until they find one which is particularly effective for the individual.  Only after should they proceed to more extreme measures such as lobotomy.

 

Hydrotherapy

While cold showers or relaxing baths might seem effective, I can assure you, dear reader, such practices are temporary at best and bolstering to the mental illness at worst.  Nae, more provocative and aggressive measures need be taken in order to make the gentleness of water potent enough for effective medical treatment.  One such method I found effective is to wrap the patient in gauze and place them into a tub of ice water.  Allow them to remain in the tub for exactly fifteen seconds or until bubbles stop rising to the surface.  Accordingly remove the patient from the water, allow them one minute of breathing time and then place them back under.  Repeat until patient seems wholly soothed and sober in their demeanour.  Patients given this sort of therapy were generally tranquil in nature after ten sessions, if not a bit cold.  Prolonged hydrotherapy seems to cure forms of delusion and hysteria, however, may lead to loss of memory and cognitive function.

 

Rotational Therapy

One materialistic theory of the mind is that particular fluids flow through the brain allowing for thought and consciousness.  The clear mind has free flowing fluids, the ill mind has slower fluids or potentially even clogged fluids.  I have found the best way to remedy such contentions is to strap the patient into a chair suspended from the ceiling by a single chain.  The patient is then rapidly spun until they lose coherence.  Do not be alarmed, this is simply the fluids in their head readjusting and loosening.  However, in order for permanent fluidity of these fluids, several sessions of rotational therapy is ideal.  Though repeated weekly to daily sessions for a lifetime is recommended in order to avoid further blockage.

 

Focal Infection Therapy

This form of therapy functions on the observation that mental illness is a disease and not innate.  Much like the common cold, mental illness can be transmitted from individual to individual through open wounds or poor sanitation.  I find that mental illness most often finds its way into the individual via the mouth, namely the teeth.  Infected teeth can cause far worse maladies than poor breath.  To be most effective, I advise that the infected patient have all their teeth pulled to avoid any further infection.  After such, they should be treated with a variety of other forms of therapy to cure the remaining illness.

 

Alchemically Induced Seizures

It is a most horrific sight to see those who suffer from tremors and fits of aggressive uncontrollable shaking to lose themselves in their mania.  However, the astute observer would notice that victims of such convulsions are serenely calm after their episodes.  Therefore, I am of the professional belief that if a convulsions is induced and maintained for a long period of time, the resulting calmness after such convulsions will last equally as long, if not more so.  Therefore, to avoid allowing a patient to be overcome by their illness at the most inopportune of times, they ought to schedule regular episodes of convulsion and experience predictable peace of mind afterwards.  Patients are to be strapped down to avoid injuring themselves or the practitioners.  They are then to be fed or injected with a large dose of seizure inducing drug, something I am sure a capable alchemist or apothecary can produce with the proper reagents.  This state of controlled convulsions is to be maintained as long as the professional practitioner sees fit (several hours would be recommended).  Once the drug has worn off the patient is then to be closely monitored, though will have peace of mind that they can control their embarrassing convulsions.  Do note that I myself have not used such a drug as I am unaware if any exist.  However, I found a similar effect of convulsion occurs when a patient is exposed to rapidly flashing lights as a result of illusionary magics, though I do believe an alchemical drug would be far easier to control.  

 

Sedation

Considering the previous method of curing mental ailment, there are other methods of using alchemical medications when curing the sick.  Preparing diluted doses of sleeping potion to induce a sedated state in the patient is quite effective when dealing with the manic and hysterical.  While by no means permanent, it can be used to calm the individual while transitioning between other forms of treatment, or simply put them at ease when sleeping for another day of treatment.  Be wary, the mentally ill are highly prone to addiction, particularly when perpetually sedated.  Granted, perpetual sedation is most effective.

 

Electroconvulsive Therapy

Having been a magician by trade some years ago, I am quite aware of the medical potential of the arcane arts despite their generally destructive nature. (i.e. the cauterization of wounds with the evocation of flames).  As if to solidify my views of the medical applications of the voidal arts, I have found electroconvulsive therapy to be by far the most effective form of psychological treatment.  It can be performed on a wide range of maladies including depression, mania, and catatonia.  The treatment is as follows: the patient is strapped to a table or chair to avoid having them injure themselves or the practitioner.  Then, two metal rods are placed on either side of their head, just above their temples.  Finally, a practitioner of electrical evocation is to send pulses of evoked electricity into the metal rods, and thusly, into the patient's diseased cranium.  This is to be repeated several times or until the practitioner feels the patient has received enough for their daily treatment.  Long term side-effects may include amnesia, loss of cognitive function, and retardation.  However, I am of the belief that the benefits far outway the side-effects.

 

Lobotomy

Certainly a permanent solution to mental illness, all instances of lobotomy have shown no relapse from the patients in question.  The lobotomy is the practice of inserting a rod into the side of the eye socket, as not to damage the eye, the rod is then used to “tussle” the brain.  The resulting effect is a positively placid individual that is, while a bit dull, cured of their previous mania or hysteria.  Excellent in soothing the excitable wife, particularly after child rearing.  So often do mothers fall into fits of delirium and frenzy after childbirth.

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[Dreek 1633]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

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