Observations placeholder

Wisdom, Madness and Folly - John Custance

The sense of communion extends to all fellow-creatures with whom I come into contact; it is not merely ideal or imaginative but has a practical effect on my conduct. Thus when in the manic state I have no objection to being more or less herded together-as is inevitable in public Mental Hospitals-with men of all classes and conditions. Class barriers cease to have any existence or meaning. Sometimes, it is true, I get cross with one or the other of my fellow-patients, but I find no difficulty in making up the quarrel almost at once. I seem to be filled with a sense of universal benevolence and constantly bear in mind the text "Love your enemies".

I take particular pleasure in actual physical contact with my fellows, such as a sentimental holding of hands. This attitude of mind has been noted by psychiatrists in connection with manic-depressive patients, though I cannot at the moment remember the instances.