The Mysterious Illness of Dyce Sombre

Authors

Ronald Pies
Michael H. Fisher, Oberlin College
C. V. Haldipur

Abstract

The alleged "madness" of the Anglo-Indian prince known as Dyce Sombre (1808-1851) has been attributed to anti-Asian prejudice, biased observations, and insensitivity to ethno-cultural variations in behavior. However, whereas all these factors may have contributed to misdiagnosis and mistreatment, there is compelling evidence pointing to an "organic" explanation for Dyce Sombre's aberrant behavior. We posit that the interaction of drug toxicity and possible central nervous system infection were primarily responsible for Dyce Sombre's clinical symptoms. The case provides an important lesson for modern-day psychiatrists confronting patients from other cultures who may also have underlying neuropsychiatric disorders.

Repository Citation

Pies, Ronald, Michael H. Fisher, and C.V. Haldipur. March 2012. "The Mysterious Illness of Dyce Sombre." Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience 9(3): 16-18.

Publisher

Matrix Medical Communications

Publication Date

3-9-2012

Publication Title

Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience

Department

History

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Format

text