o take
all possible measures to protect the sane public against the
alienists, thus completely neglecting the true interests of the insane
as well as those of society, while fighting against a phantom! The
anxiety and mistrust of the public in this matter are continually kept
up by "brigand stories" related by certain insane or semi-insane
persons, which are spread by the press, always eager for scandal, or
by pamphlets which the cheapness of printing places within the reach
of the poorest!

These phenomena of public psychology greatly hinder the most urgent
reforms. The public regard asylums with horror, and the path of the
alienist is thorny, for he is exposed to continual accusations and
threats whatever he may do, a situation which does not encourage him
to suggest bold innovations.

Ignorant of psychology and especially of psychopathology, the public
and with it the formal jurist, the slave of codes (I am only speaking
of honest lawyers, and not of the number who abuse the situation to
obtain oratorical and other success and crown themselves with
laurels), regard themselves as the champions of individual liberty,
and are unable to perceive that the net result of their efforts is, on
the one hand, to condemn a considerable number of insane and crazy
persons to prison, and on the other hand to assure liberty and
impunity to the most dangerous individuals, always ready to commit the
most atrocious crimes, or at any rate to make martyrs of a number of
patient and innocent beings, hard-working and healthy in mind,
especially women and children.

The alienists, who see clearly into all this misery, easily become
pessimistic in their impotence against the want of sense, ignorance
and unconscious passion of the masses, and even competent authorities.
The natural cowardice of men often makes them shut their eyes to avoid
nuisances, and causes them to take no action against the most
dangerous monsters, and especially against those who are most
mischievous by their pens. This is why the martyrdom of unfortunate
women and children illtreated by chronic alcoholics, sadists and other
neuropaths or psychopaths, never comes to an end, owing to the stupid
outcry against so-called violation of individual liberty.

On this soil, sexual atrocities and crimes, largely increased by
drink, play an important part. Without troubling myself about
prejudice and indignation I shall say in a few words what appears to
me to be urgent: