The Madness of Laura II

Haslam Assessment

21 June 1799

London

Case XXI:

L was a women of 18 years who was brought to us in February of this year. She had shown signs of disorder for several weeks before being admitted to our care. Symptoms started as delusions of being visited in the night by a creature who wished to steal her blood. Soon after she began complaining of fatigue and loss of appetite before finally succumbing to a severe state of melancholia. It was believed to be a hereditary affectation due to a history of madness on in her mother’s family. Due to her condition we attempted to induce her to eat but were met with great obstinacy. She rarely arose from her melancholic state except very late at night when her delusion would return and she would become quite frenzied. During these periods we had her restrained until the delusion passed. Her condition progressed with her delusions becoming more and more persistent. She was found dead on 19 June. Upon opening the head, the parecranium was found to be tightly bound to the skull; no water was found in the ventricles. The pia matter contained moderate amounts of blood. The consistency of the brain was natural.

C.L.

Hallaran Assessment

June 21, 13

Cork

                   Laura was brought to us in December of last year by her father who informed us that she had been suffering from the delusional belief that she had been repeatedly attacked at night in her room by someone or something that was attempting to take her blood. Soon after the delusions began, her father informed us, her appetite became diminished and she fell into a state of increasing withdrawal. She showed no signs of injury and aside from the visible effects of malnourishment that could explain her current condition.

            Because of her lack of appetite and the short duration of her delusional episodes, it was decided that Laura should be treated with melancholic patients. She has been given a regular diet rich in red meat and wine in an attempt to invigorate her. We have also encouraged her to take on at least moderate exercise and have provided her with access to fresh air several times per day. At first she would refuse all food and would not take advantage of the opportunities afforded her for exercise. Over the last several weeks she has slowly begun to eat and drink her wine. This in turn led her to begin taking walks with a member of the staff that she has come to trust. The staff member is a new woman, not much older than Laura. Odd name, Mircalla I believe it to be.

C.L.