Such insanity differs from ordinary insanity in its sudden
onset, intensity of symptoms, short duration and abrupt ending. To
establish a plea of epilepsy in cases of crime, one must show that the
individual really did suffer from true epilepsy, and that the crime was
committed at a period having a definite relation to the epileptic
seizure.
=Alcoholic Insanity.=--This may occur in three forms:
1. _Acute Alcoholic Delirium_ (_mania a potu_), due to excessive amount
of alcohol consumed.
2. _Delirium Tremens_, due to long-continued over-drinking. The patient
suffers from horrible dreams, illusions, and suspicions, which may lead
him to attack people or commit suicide.
3. _Chronic Alcoholic Insanity._ Loss of memory is the chief symptom,
with paralysis of motion, hallucinations and delusions of persecution.
=Responsibility for Criminal Acts.=--To establish a defence on the
ground of insanity, it must be proved that the prisoner at the time when
the crime was committed did not know the nature and quality of the act
he was committing, and did not know that it was wrong. At the present
time, however, the _power of controlling his actions_ is usually made
the test.
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