A Letter Regarding Literature and Art in the Mentally Abnormal
by Dr. L. Pierce Clark

To the Editor of the American Journal of Insanity.

Dear Sir—

There is much interesting matter presented in Dr. Hrdlicka’s article in the January number of the Journal, upon art and literature in the mentally abnormal.

Notwithstanding that he states that his contributions in regard to epileptics are largely drawn from the insane epileptics in the New York State hospitals, one gains the impression that the epileptics do not materially differ, sane or insane. His remarks therefore carry undue weight, as though speaking for the epileptic class in general.

It may be interesting to state some of the observations made in a careful manner upon the epileptics admitted to the Craig Colony, numbering more than five hundred.

Dr. Hrdlicka states that epileptics are as a rule not fond of music. Our experience at the Colony leads us to a different conclusion. All patients regard the privilege of attending evening musicals one of their greatest enjoyments. Such entertainments form a regular feature of Colony life twice a week. The patients themselves take an active part in such amusements, and have become quite proficient in the use of various musical instruments. Two patients are members of the Craig Colony Band.

We have never seen epileptics who did not care for music if they were conscious and not suffering from active mental disturbance. We have found music and dancing particularly of value in removing many disagreeable features of the epileptic disposition. Any one doubting its efficacy would be no longer skeptical, after witnessing some of these entertainments.

Epileptics are very fond of singing, and we attribute the religious tone of their songs to the religious training encouraged by many for the so-called “unfortunates.” Their songs frequently have a strong altruistic bearing, which has always been a marked element among colonized epileptics.

The moral and ethical principles which they hold are always interesting, and the incorporation of them in songs is by no means an ill-defined power for good.

While speaking of the fondness of epileptics for singing, we would say that they have almost without exception very poor voices. Probably this defect is in no small part due to the disease itself.

In regard to theatrical art: Several plays and farce entertainments are being produced this winter, solely by patients. Who knows but some of them may rival the distinguished memory of their fellow-sufferer Moliere?

We do not find “severe and prolonged mental strain” is felt by the epileptic, if he is given plenty of time to work out and practice his stage part. Many clinical observers have noticed that while the epileptic is mentally and physically active, the invocation of the higher faculties of his mind, such as the attention or will calls into play the inhibitory control of a higher brain center over that of a lower, and thus prevents epileptic fits.