Sound Mind Or, Contributions to the natural history and physiology of the human intellect

"Sound Mind" by John Haslam is a scientific publication written in the early 19th century. This work delves into the natural history and physiology of the human intellect, exploring various aspects of mental functioning, including perception, memory, and reason. Haslam aims to establish a clearer understanding of the faculties of the mind, contrasting its healthy state with mental derangement. The opening of "Sound Mind" offers insight into the author's perspective on the importance of understanding a sound mind before discussing its disorders. Haslam introduces the concept that knowledge of the intellect's healthy functionalities is crucial for defining its aberrations. He proposes a comprehensive study of the human mind through careful observation and analysis of mental faculties, setting the stage for a detailed examination of topics such as perception and memory. The preface reveals Haslam's scholarly intent to contribute positively to the field of psychology and psychiatry, emphasizing the need for a better grasp of the intellect's normal states as foundational to the understanding of its pathologies. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

John Haslam (1764–1844) was an English apothecary, physician and medical writer, known for his work on mental illness. Haslam's case study of James Tilly Matthews is the earliest detailed description of paranoid schizophrenia.