Studies in Forensic Psychiatry | Page 2

to the idea of correction and reformation. This radical change
of tendency cannot be looked upon as a mere misdirected sentimentality on the part of
modern society, but is the inevitable result of the final conviction that the solely punitive
criminology upon which society has been relying in its efforts to eradicate criminal
behavior from its midst has proved a total failure. The idea of punishment as a deterrent
of crime is, as a consequence, gradually losing its hold upon modern criminologists, and
in its stead we have been experimenting for some time past with such measures as
probation, suspended or indeterminate sentence, and parole. Now it can not be too
strongly emphasized that in giving these measures a fair trial we ought to guard against
those very same grave errors which were chiefly responsible for the failure of the old,
solely punitive methods, namely, the dealing with the criminal act rather than with the
individual committing it. If these new measures of probation, suspended sentence, and

parole, which are perfectly adequate in theory, are to justify their existence in the
practical everyday handling of the problem of criminology, we must not fail to take into
full account the very obvious natural phenomenon that human beings vary within very
wide limits in their susceptibility to correction or reformation, that some individuals
because of their psychological make-up, either qualitative or quantitative, are absolutely
and permanently incorrigible and present a problem which can be dealt with in only one
effective way--namely, permanent segregation and isolation from society. It is on this
very important account that the psychopathologist's place in criminology is fully justified.
In endeavoring to aid in the solution of the problem of criminology, the
psychopathologist need not seek new methods of procedure but may safely rely upon
those which have aided him in elucidating in a very large measure the problem of mental
disease. For criminology is an integral part of psychopathology, crime is a type of
abnormal conduct which expresses a failure of proper adjustment at the psychological
level.
It was not until the advent of the Kraepelinian School of psychiatry, with its intensive
search for facts and the resultant more accurate delineation and classification of types of
mental disorder, that we began to acquire real insight into psychopathology and were
enabled to render more accurate prognoses. This more or less purely descriptive method
of study is at present being followed by an intensive analysis of the facts thus gained as
exemplified in the present psychoanalytic movement. It is conceded by all thoughtful
observers that criminology will have to follow the same route on its way to final solution.
The series of studies here presented reflect an effort in this direction. It is aimed to
present a series of well-rounded-out case histories of criminal types as studied from the
psychopathologist's viewpoint, and in one instance, at least, an attempt is made at an
accurate and intensive psychological analysis of the biological forces which were at the
bottom of a career of habitual stealing. No attempt is made at hard and fast formulations.
Our knowledge concerning the criminal is still too meager to justify one in drawing
dependable conclusions. But it is felt that this clinical material emphasizes sufficiently
the necessity of the psychopathological mode of approach to the problem of criminology.
For that matter, the excellent work being carried on by Dr. William Healy in connection
with the Chicago Juvenile Court and by psychopathologists in a number of other cities
attests that this need is being gradually recognized by society. One desires only to express
the hope that the time is not far distant when our penal and reformatory institutions will
likewise serve the purpose of clinics for the study of the delinquent, and that such clinical
instruction will form part of the curriculum of at least every public prosecutor.
I desire to express my indebtedness to Messrs. Lea and Febiger, the J. B. Lippincott Co.,
and to the editors of the American Journal of Insanity, and the Journal of the American
Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology, for their kind permission to reprint some of
the material herein presented.
Before concluding this preface I desire to avail myself of this opportunity of expressing
my sincere gratitude to Dr. William A. White, Superintendent of the Government
Hospital for the Insane, for his kind and very stimulating advice and encouragement
which made these studies possible.

GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE, January, 1916.

CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
PREFACE v
I PSYCHOGENESIS IN THE PSYCHOSES OF PRISONERS 1
II THE NATURE AND TREATMENT OF THE PSYCHOSES OF PRISONERS 66
III THE FORENSIC PHASE OF LITIGIOUS PARANOIA 132
IV THE MALINGERER: A CLINICAL STUDY 156
V THE ANALYSIS OF A CASE OF KLEPTOMANIA 239
INDEX 267

STUDIES IN FORENSIC PSYCHIATRY
CHAPTER I
PSYCHOGENESIS IN