In medical jurisprudence. Delirium is that state of the mind in which itacts without being directed by the power of volition, which is wholly or partially suspended.This happens most perfectly in dreams. But what is commonly called “delirium”is always preceded or attended by a feverish and highly diseased state of the body. Thepatient in delirium is wholly unconscious of surrounding objects, or conceives them tobe different from what they really are. His thoughts seem to drift about, wild- ering and tossing amidst distracted dreams.And his observations, when he makes any, as often happens, are wild and incoherent;or, from excess of pain, he sinks into a low muttering, or silent and death-like stupor.The law contemplates this species of mental derangement as an intellectual eclipse; asa darkness occasioned by a cloud of disease passing over the mind; and which mustsoon terminate iu health or in death. Owing’s Case, 1 lilaud (Md.) 380, 17 Am. Dec. 311; Supreme Lodge v. Lapp, 74 S. V. 050, 25 Ky. Law Rep. 74; Clark v. Ellis, 9 Or. 132; Brogden v. Brown, 2 Add. 441.
