Historical Bibliography Updated: June 17, 2026
An inquiry into the nature and origin of mental derangement: comprehending a concise system of the physiology and pathology of the human mind, and a history of the passions and their effects. 2 vols.
Publication Details
London: T. Cadell, Junior, and W. Davies, 1798 CE.
In chapter 2 of vol. 1, pp. 254-90, “On Attention and its Diseases” Crichton described a mental state much like the inattentive subtype of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). He did not mention any symptoms of hyperactivity. It is possible that Crichton observed hyperactive or impulsive symptoms in his patients, but failed to recognize a correlation and decided not to specify them in this context. He began his chapter with a definition of attention. Digital facsimile of Vol. 1 from the Internet Archive at this link; of Vol. 2 at this link.
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Thematic Classifications
| Catalog Metadata | Reference Information |
|---|---|
| Entry Number | #7978 |
| Permanent Link | https://staging.historyofmedicine.com/entry/10154 |
| Author Bio Link | Wikipedia ↗ |
| External URL | an-inquiry-into-the-nature-and-origin-of-mental-derangement-comprehending-a-concise-system-of-the-physiology-and-pathology-of-the-human-mind-and-a-history-of-the-passions-and-their-effects-2-vols |
Geographic Context
Publication place: London