A Case of Purulent Sub-Arachnitis, Probably Metastatic

Jane W., set. 56, single, a manager of a registry office at Clifton, was admitted to the Wilts County Asylum, at Devizes, on the 8th of September, 1880. Without giving any warning she disappeared from her home at Clifton, and was picked up by the authorities of an Union in Wiltshire, and, as she could give no account of herself, sent to the County Asylum. While there she at first suffered from mania. She was unable to give an account of herself, or any reliable information as to her past life. She said she had been tempted by the devil to destroy herself, and believed she was going to be severely tortured. Fourteen days later she had settled down, and complained of pain in her head. Bromide of potassium was prescribed for her.* She was admitted to the Bristol Asylum on the 3rd of June, 1881. She was in fair bodily health, but was evidently suicidally disposed. From time to time she complained of pain in the head,, referring it to the occiput. No especial note was made of her until April 2nd, 1883, when she complained of sickness and diarrhoea. * The above is abridged from a copy of the notes in the case-book of the Wilts Asylum, kindly supplied to me by Mr. Bowes, the Medical Superintendent.