diagnosed cases of manie circulaire. Of the 900 cases of insanity
in the State Hospital at Danville, Pa., less than four per cent were
put in this special class. There are in the Central (Va.) State
Hospital (which is exclusively for the colored insane) 775 patients,
three of whom are genuine cases of circular insanity, but they are
included in 'periodic insanity.' This same custom evidently prevails in
many of the other hospitals for the insane."

Drewry reports three cases of circular insanity, one of which was as
follows:--

"William F., a negro, thirty-six years old, of fair education, steady,
sober habits, was seized with gloomy depression a few weeks prior to
his admission to this hospital, in September, 1886. This condition came
on after a period of fever. He was a stranger in the vicinity and
scarcely any information could be obtained regarding his antecedents.
When admitted he was in a state of melancholic hypochondriasis; he was
the very picture of abject misery. Many imaginary ills troubled his
peace of mind. He spoke of committing suicide, but evidently for the
purpose of attracting attention and sympathy. On one occasion he said
he intended to kill himself, but when the means to do so were placed at
his command, he said he would do the deed at another time. The most
trivial physical disturbances were exaggerated into very serious
diseases. From this state of morbid depression he slowly emerged, grew
brighter, more energetic, neater in personal appearance, etc. During
this period of slow transition or partial sanity he was taken out on
the farm where he proved to be a careful and industrious laborer. He
escaped, and when brought back to the hospital a few weeks subsequently
he was in a condition of great excitement and hilarity. His expression
was animated, and he was, as it were, overflowing with superabundance
of spirit, very loquacious, and incessantly moving. He bore an air of
great importance and self-satisfaction; said he felt perfectly well and
happy, but abused the officers for keeping him 'confined unjustly in a
lunatic asylum.' It was his habit almost daily, if not interfered with,
to deliver a long harangue to his fellow-patients, during which he
would become very excited and noisy. He showed evidences of having a
remarkable memory, particularly regarding names and dates. (Unusual
memory is frequently observed in this type of insanity, says Stearns.)
He was sometimes disposed to be somewhat destr