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Show 244 ANGEll. CHAP. X. that he has soon many instances of intense hatred (whieh can hardly be distinguished from rage, more or less st~ppressod) in Orientals, and once in an el~erl~ Engh8h woman. In all these cases there "was a grin, no~ a " scowl _the lips lengthening, the cl~eeks setthn~~· " downwards, the eyes half-closed, whilst the brow " re1na1. ne d per1~e c tly ca1 1 n. "ll . This retraction of the lips and uncovenng of the teeth <luring paroxysms of rage, as if to bite the offender, is t-;O ren1arkable, considering how seldom the teeth are used by men in fighting, that I inq.uired from Dr. J. Urichton Browne whether the habit was common in the insane whose passions are unbridled. He informs 1ne that he has repeatedly observed it both with the insane and idiotic, and has given me the following illustrations:- Shortly before receiving my letter, he witnessed au uncontrollable outbreak of anger and delusive jealousy in au insane lady. At first she vituperated her husband, and whilst doing so foamed at the month. Next she approached close to him with compressed li~s, and a virulent set frown. Then she drew back her hps, espe· cially the corners of the upper lip, and showed he~· teeth, at the sa1ne time aiming a vicious blow at hun. J: second c~tse is that of an old soldier, who, when he Js requested to conform to the rules of the establislnnent, o•ives way to discontent, terininating in fnry. He CODl~ lonly begins by asking Dr. Browne whether he is not ashamed to treat him in such a manner. He then sweart-l and blasphe1nes, paces up and down, tosses his arms wildly about, and menaces any one near him. At last, as his exasperation culminates, he rushes up towa~·ds Dr~ Browne with a peculiar sidelong 1novement, shaking 11 ' The Spectator,' July 11, 1868, p. 819. ANGER. his doubled fist, and threatening de --ti·uction. rrhen his upper lip may be seen to be raised, especially at tho Corner so that his hu()'e canine teeth are exhibitetl. ' 0 He his.'es forth his curses through his set teeth, anu his whole expression assumes the character of extren1) ferocity. A similar description is applicable to another man, excepting that he generally foams at the mouth and spits, dancing an l jumping about in a strange rapid n1anner shriekino- out his maledictions in a hrill fal- ' 0 s tto voice. Dr. Bt·owne also informs me of tl1o case of an epileptir i<liot, incapable of independent movements, and who spends the whole day in playing with some toys; but his temper is 1norose and easily roused into fiercene . vVhen any one touches his toys, he slowly raises his head from its habitual downward position, and fixes his eyes on the offender, with a tardy yet angry scowl. If the annoyance bo repeated, he draws back his thick lips and reveals a pro1ninent row of hideous fangs (largo canines being especially noticeable), and then makes a quick and cruel clutch with his open hand at the offencliug person. The rapidity of this clutch, as Dr. Browne retnarks, is n1arvellous in a being ordinarily so torpid that he takes about fifteen seconds, when attracted by any noise, to turn his head from one side to th other. If, when thus incensed, a handkerchief, hook, or other article, be placed into his hands, he drags it to hj ~ mouth and bites it. Mr. Nicol has bkewi.. e described to me two cases of insane patients, whose lips are retracted during paroxysms of rage. Dr. 1\Iaudsley, after detailing .various strange animallike traits in idiots, asks whether these are not due to the reappearance of primitive instincts-" a faint echo " from a far-distant past, testifying to a kinship which " n1an bas ahnost outgrown." He add , that a. every |
