Delirium \De*lir"i*um\ (d[-e]*l[i^]r"[i^]*[u^]m), n. [L., fr.
delirare to rave, to wander in mind, prop., to go out of the
furrow in plowing; de- + lira furrow, track; perh. akin to G.
geleise track, rut, and E. last to endure.]
1. (Med.) A state in which the thoughts, expressions, and
actions are wild, irregular, and incoherent; mental
aberration; a roving or wandering of the mind, -- usually
dependent on a fever or some other disease, and so
distinguished from mania, or madness.
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2. Strong excitement; wild enthusiasm; madness.
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The popular delirium [of the French Revolution] at
first caught his enthusiastic mind. --W. Irving.
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The delirium of the preceding session (of
Parliament). --Morley.
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Delirium tremens. [L., trembling delirium] (Med.), a
violent delirium induced by the excessive and prolonged
use of intoxicating liquors.
Traumatic delirium (Med.), a variety of delirium following
injury.
Syn: Insanity; frenzy; madness; derangement; aberration;
mania; lunacy; fury. See Insanity.
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DELIRIUM TREMENS, med. jur. A species of insanity which has obtained this
name, in consequence of the tremor experienced by the delirious person, when
under a fit of the disorder.
2. The disease called delirium tremens or mania a potu, is well
described in the learned work on the Medical Jurisprudence of Insanity, by
Dr. Ray, Sec. 315, 316, of which the following is an extract: "it may be the
immediate effect of an excess, or series of excesses, in those who are not
habitually intemperate, as well as in those who are; but it most commonly
occurs in habitual drinkers, after a few days of total abstinence from
spirituous liquors. It is also very liable to occur in this latter class when
laboring under other diseases, or severe external injuries that give rise to
any degree of constitutional disturbance. The approach of the disease is
generally indicated by a slight tremor and faltering of the hands and lower
extremities, a tremulousness of the voice, a certain restlessness and sense
of anxiety which the patient knows not how to describe or to account for,
disturbed sleep, and impaired appetite. These symptoms having continued two
or three days, at the end, of which time they have obviously increased in
severity, the patient ceases to sleep altogether, and soon becomes
delirious. At first, the delirium is not constant, the mind wandering during
the night, but during the day, when its attention is fixed, capable of
rational discourse. It is not long, however, before it becomes constant, and
constitutes the most prominent feature of the disease. This state, of
watchfulness and delirium continues three or four days, when, if the
patient recover, it is succeeded by sleep, which, at first appears in uneasy
and irregular naps, and lastly in long, sound, and refreshing slumbers. When
sleep does not supervene about this period, the, disease is fatal; and
whether subjected to medical treatment, or left to itself, neither its
symptoms nor duration are materially modified.
3. "The character of the delirium in this disease is peculiar, bearing
a stronger resemblance to dreaming, than any other form of mental
derangement. It would seem as if the dreams which disturb and harass the
mind during the imperfect sleep that precedes the explosion of the disease,
continue to occupy it when awake, being then viewed as realities, instead of
dreams. The patient imagines himself, for instance, to be in some particular
situation, or engaged in certain occupations according to each individuals
habits and profession, and his discourse and conduct will be conformed to
this delusion, with this striking peculiarity, however, that he is thwarted
at every step, and is constantly meeting with obstacles that defy his utmost
efforts to remove. Almost invariably, the patient manifests, more or less,
feelings of suspicion and fear, laboring under continual apprehension of
being made the victim of sinister designs and practices. He imagines that
certain people have conspired to rob or murder him, and insists that he can
hear them in an adjoining apartment, arranging their plans and preparing to
rush into his room; or that he is in a strange place where he is forcibly
detained and prevented from going to his own home. One of the most common
hallucinations is, to be constantly seeing devils, snakes, vermin, and all
manner of unclean things around him and about him, and peopling every nook
and corner of his apartment with these loathsome objects. The extreme terror
which these delusions often inspire, produces in the countenance, an
unutterable expression of anguish; and, in the hope of escaping from his,
fancied tormentors, the wretched patient endeavors to cut his throat, or
jump from the window. Under the influence of these terrible apprehensions,
he sometimes murders his wife or attendant, whom his disordered imagination
identifies with his enemies, though he is generally tractable and not
inclined to be mischievous. After perpetrating an act of this kind, he
generally gives some illusive reason for his conduct, rejoices in his
success, and expresses his regret at not having done it before. So complete
and obvious is the mental derangement in this disease, so entirely are, the
thoughts and actions governed by the most unfounded and absurd delusions,
that if any form of insanity absolves from criminal responsibility, this
certainly must have that effect. 3 Am. Jur. 5-20.
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