The Narrator- Blackmore and Battie

          The short story, The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Stetson, discusses the evolution of the main character’s, the Narrator, mental illness. Throughout the piece the Narrator is pulled between the real world and a world created in her mind; her diary is the middle ground that reveals her struggle to the audience. By the end of the work the Narrator’s diagnoses are not clear but mad experts could suggest, based on her current state of health, what could be the cause for her mental instability.

During the 18th century, the majority of mad experts, particularly Blackmore and Battie, had controversial views as to what metal illness consisted of. In this time period it wasn't clear as to what caused it this mental imbalance or how to treat it. In works written by both experts they express that there are very specific causes and very specific treatments, they leave little room for error.

If the Narrator was taken under watch of Blackmore he would diagnose her with hysterical affections. The patient has many positive symptoms accompanied with bouts of anger and agitation. These positive symptoms include smelling an overwhelming odor from objects that typically would have no smell, such as the wallpaper. She begins to see movement in still object and has inner impulses that she cannot resist but to react upon. After assessing all of these symptoms, Blackmore would most likely draw blood to check her levels and conclude that the cause of her mental illness is her spleen. Specifically, breathing noxious vapors released by the spleen. In order to relieve the patient from the listed symptoms he would recommend that she begin to purge daily to rid her body of any toxins. Although present day this treatment would not be used, it was very common amongst mad experts in the 18^th century, including Battie.

            The Narrator’s list of positive symptoms would lead an expert like Battie to believe that she was experiencing an excess of sensation, the result of too much pressure on the brain. After preforming a physical observation, Battie would come to the conclusion that there is no sign of injury or any external factors that would cause her mental illness. During this observation he might ask questions about how long the symptoms have been persisting. At this time, it would be revealed that she’s had delusions at a younger age as well. Since the develop at such a young age, Battie would conclude that the disease could be heredity and therefore is considered original madness. In order to rid the Narrator of her symptoms Battie would begin with purging and if no progress was made he might consider cutting into her skull in order to alleviate pressure on the brain.