John Hughlings Jackson

 

This article presents parts of two writings explaining the role and the levels of dissolution in the pathogenesis of nervous and mental disorders. A strong influence comes from modern theories about evolution, particularly Spencer. The model was developed starting from nervous diseases (It is particularly famous Jackson’s study of epilepsy) but it had fruitful consequences also for psychiatric conditions. Here we focus more on the part on “insanities”, with Jackson important

ideas about the “constructive”, or “positive” component of mental symptoms. Positive parts of symptoms are due to the liberation of normal-functioning centers, due to lack of inhibition rather than direct dysfunctions. The disturbances of consciousness and their role in illusions and hallucinations is also sketched.

  

History of psychiatry, history of neurology, positive and negative symptoms, evolution theory