Frederick Powell Sr wrote: > > Listmembers, does the definition of "being a lunatic" in 1844 > indicate the individual, so described, suffered from a form of > mental instability/illness? I ask the question knowing that in > years gone by consumption might have referred to present day > diagnosis of tuberculosis. > > In other words, did lunacy in 1844 mean the same as it does today? Assuming that today's meaning is "somebody thinks you're crazy", yes. Further to Don's remarks -- "So Found" might indicate legal shenanigans, usually to do with control of money or property, rather than actual mental illness. Cheryl singhals@erols.com