Effects of the Sun on Lunatics.

Bruce Herald, Volume IX, Issue 805, 23 May 1876, Page 3

Effects of the Sun on Lunatics.

(Liverpool ' Daily Post.')

A theory, once universal, and even now not very uncommon, exists with regard to mad people, to the effect, that the light of the moon exercises a prejudicial influence upon the human brain. Indeed, the idea, now lingering only amongst the uneducated and superstitious, is preserved in the term of "lunatic." Science and common-sense, however, it waa thought had pretty effectually disposed of the notion that the rays of '' the cold orb of night " abstracted the wits of unfortunate folks who exposed themselves to the malevolent light. But a rather curious instance has arisen of the way in which sometimes excessive scientific efforts lead to conclusions similar to those blindly and wildly jumped at by the extraordinary and mysterious sava?its of the Middle Ages. The doctors of the tenth century believed that the moon caused madness, aud now a doctor of the present century has been found who boldly declares that the sun cures madness. Dr Ponza, an Italian physician, has been in com munication upon the subject with Father Zecchi, the renowned Jesuit astronomer, also, it would appear, a convert to the novel remedy, and from the letters of the doctor and the priest we gather some particulars of the scheme which, if successful, would turn our lunatic asylums into institutions for the production of optical effects. It must be admitted that the matter cannot be dismissed as wholly ridiculous, for that strong differentcolored light exercises peculiar effects upon people cannot be denied. Who, for example, can restrain the feeling of irritation which involuntarily creeps over one after a prolonged stay in a room where the sole or even predominant color is scarlet ? Or, again, who has not experienced the warm comfortable, and gay sensations which crimson surroundings convey to the mind ; or the sobering and quieting effect of prevailing dark blue ; or, finally, the oppressive and saddening influence of a chamber draped in black ? Of course, it may be said that these feelings are merely the result of association of ideas, and that if the mind be overthrown or perturbed, the same causes would not produce the same effects. We may be toH that we are saddened at the sight of black because we are taught to connect that sombre hue with death ; that crimson cheers us because custom and education have induced us to think of it as an attendant upon comfortable affluence and worldly prosperity. However, be this as it may, Dr Ponza and his Jesuit correspondent are of a different opinion. They maintain, or at any rate from their letters we may reasonably suppose they maintain, that the chemical action of a red colored ray of light is sufficient to restore to its normal condition a brain whose molecular structure has undergone that change which results in melancholia. In like manner it ia said that by confining a raging lunatic in a blue chamber a similar operation is performed, and the violent patient becomes calm and sane. " A patient," we are told, " was made to pass the night in a violet chamber ; on the following day he begged Dr Ponza to send him home because he felt himself cured, and, indeed, he has been well ever since." The request waa very wisely, we think, refused ; for is it not possible that the patient cured by the violet end of the speclruta some day might chance to come under the influence of the red ? If such a misfortune should befall him, according to I)r Ponaa's theory, the red color must result "in a return of the violent maniacal syraptoniß, The only plan that could be safely adopted if color-cured lunatics were to be let loose upon us, would be to render it compulsory that they should wear spectacles with colored glasses. And even that might fail. For instance, if a man with blub glasses were to look at a yellow surface, it would appear green. We are not informed what the effect of green is, but if the patient were an Irishman or an Orangeman, it is pretty certain startling results would accrue, perhaps a better idea would be that the ci demnrh madman should he compelled to dress in thpir curing color, as a eorrespndent a little while ago suggested railway passengers should d,o in the color of their classes. If this were done, people would be careful not to exhibit irritants in their presence, in the sa^e, way that red rags are hidden from bulls. Perhaps, on the whole, however, it will be better if we adhere to our old and bettor understood methods of treating those unhappily afflicted with mental disorder, and permit Dr Ponza to te3t his medical spectrum analysis upon tb,§ I'qn.atic.a of hia own laud,

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