discussion of Aaron Kosminski's psychological profile

[Natalie Severn]

Two senior policemen stating he was ID'd by a witness.

Where was he ID"d and when?

Swanson seems very muddled about it all --- Anderson........? Maybe Winston Churchill was onto something when he suggested Sir Robert was "away with the fairies"!

[robhouse]

Of course I know all that Natalie, it is just that you have brought up this 30 year figure many many times, and each time I have felt obligated to point out that we do not know anything at all about Kozminski for 16 of those 30 years... so that is more than half the time.

[jason_c]

Where was he ID"d and when?

He was ID'd at no.26 Arcadia Lane on the 14th of August 1891 if you must know.

Again, you are asking for the impossible. I freely admitted the evidence passed down to us is flimsy, but it is evidence nonetheless. Evidence that makes Kosminski a better suspect than almost anyone else.

[Pontius2000]

This person's arguments are completely without logic. She will dismiss anything that does not gel with her own opinions about the case.

Anderson had no idea what he was talking about because Henry Smith said so. what?!?! Henry Smith's jurisdiction in this case was ONE murder that happened almost 2 months after the series began. Yet, for some reason, Henry Smith's opinion carries more weight than the opinions of Anderson and Swanson, who had jurisidiction over 10 of the 11 Whitechapel murders. and the reason for this is stated above....it doesn't gel with her personal opinions.

Kosminski was not violent because someone answered "no" to the standard form question, even though the standard form questions are followed by a statement saying that he WAS violent. Why does she ignore this fact? because it doesn't gel with her opinions.

Anything else that she can't explain away with evidence or at least a plausible theory, she just reponds to with "get real" or "let's stay real". So really, it's no reason trying to have any kind of intelligent discussion with her, because she is just going to respond with juvenile insults and opinions that are illogical.

[Natalie Severn]

[QUOTE=Natalie Severn;155665]Pontius wrote:[QUOTE]
This person's arguments are completely without logic. She will dismiss anything that does not gel with her own opinions about the case

Hi Pontius,
Lets have some logic from you then ....and please don"t try to bully your way out by avoiding answering the points made and instead attacking me with nasty personal remarks.

So :
Why not give one "logical" reason why you think Aaron Kosminski was the Ripper and back it up with some actual evidence.



City Police Chief, Henry Smith would have had fuller,immediate ,first hand information than either Swanson or Anderson and from his own men, such as Inspector Robert Sagar and Detective Inspector Harry Cox about any "City Suspect" who was being "watched" around the Aldgate area.

In his autobiography which came out a little after Robert Anderson"s Blackwoods Magazine assertions of 1910 ,Smith details his rebuttal of Anderson"s claim and the reasons for it. What have you to say about these rebuttals,apart from a strange assumption that Anderson knew better than Smith?
Why would he have known better than Sir Henry Smith [bearing in mind Kosminski is believed to have been a City Police suspect ]? Or are you saying he also " knew better" than Sir Melville Macnaghten? Inspector Abberline ? Inspector Reid ?
Anderson was heavily involved in a lot of other matters.He wasnt even in London when four of the five murders took place.His memoirs [TLYOML] barely touch the subject of the Whitechapel Murders except to claim he knew who Jack the Ripper was and it was no secret!
Swanson did indeed collate all the material on the case from his desk, and as it came in, but actually it was" Inspector Abberline" who was the hands on man ,in charge of the case at ground level and he ,like Chief Commissioner of City Police ,Henry Smith, emphatically denied that any of the police" knew who the Ripper was"---as did several others like Inspector Reid and Inspector Godley also involved at the time at ground level.And there were several others .
Macnaghten did say there were suspicions about Kosminski,but wrote "there was no shadow of proof" about any of the suspects,and backs up Henry Smith when he wrote that nobody ever saw the ripper and that he himself believed that of the three suspects better than Cutbush, Druitt was the most likely,in his view,to have been Jack the Ripper.
Now can you cease to be so offensive and just deal with the argument.
Best Wishes
Norma

PS What do you know about the involvement of the City of London Police?
Can you please give some facts and figures.

[Pontius2000]

[QUOTE=Natalie Severn;155666][QUOTE=Natalie Severn;155665]Pontius wrote:

[I]This person's arguments are completely without logic. She will dismiss anything that does not gel with her own opinions about the case

First, you need to go back and read this thread. I've not said anywhere in this thread that I think Kosminski was the killer. In fact, I believe I said the killer was most likely an unknown local man who had a similar disorder to Kosminski's. however, I said that Kosminski IS A LIKELY SUSPECT. which you responded with the very childish "get real".

why don't I provide some evidence? Did you even read the first post in this thread? I laid out pretty clearly that Kosminski displayed the symptoms of someone with a personality affective disorder. Barnaby, as far as I know the only licensed psychologist in this discussion, agreed with that assessment. Rob House, who I believe has written the Kosminski book and is therefore likely to be the expert on this subject, also agreed. The only disagreement with either of them is they believe it was Schizophrenia, I believe Bipolar Disorder. As far as the other issues associated with the affective disorder, again, clearly laid out in the first post. And you have not been able to refute any of those statements outside of "get real" and "he walked a dog".

Henry Smith had more exact information on murders outside his jurisdiction than Swanson and Anderson? How exactly do you come up with this nonsense? There was not one word written on these murders that did not pass through Swanson's hands. It seems you have no idea how police departments/jurisdictions work. It's the same with American city and county police departments today. There are many instances when a County police department will go into City territory to investigate a case. The opposite is not true. You will almost NEVER see a City police department investigate a crime outside the City jurisdiction. So the only information Henry Smith had on all the murders other than Eddowes was information that the Met allowed him to have. If you disagree with this, you need to do more research on how police departments and jurisdictions actually work.

Henry Smith proved that a "positive" identification at the Seaside Home did not happen? Show that information to me. Smith disproved that after the identified man was returned to his brother's home, he returned to incarceration a short time later with his hands behind his back? Did he disprove that after the last of the murders certain information came to light that made this man a strong suspect. I want to see all your evidence. Of course, you don't have any. Just like you have nothing to dispute Kosminski had an affective disorder which increased the likelihood of him being dangerous, as well as increasing his chances of having APD.

Smith did not have more information on the case at his disposal than Swanson/Anderson had. Does that mean that Smith was wrong and Anderson/Swanson were right? no. But there is no evidence that shifts the probability of being right in Smith's favor. There is no evidence whatsoever that Smith was right. There is however the fact that Anderson/Swanson had all the evidence at their disposal, which would add weight to their claims.

[Abby Normal]

Subject title says it all. Let's discuss his psychological makeup based on what we know. Seems every time I read something on that, it's always referencing him being schizophrenic, which I don't agree with. So let's discuss, debate, add to, correct, etc etc.

first, the statements of Anderson and Macnaghten:

Anderson: "...In saying that he was a Polish Jew I am merely stating a definitely ascertained fact. And my words are meant to specify race, not religion. For it would outrage all religious sentiment to talk of the religion of a loathsome creature whose utterly unmentionable vices reduced him to a lower level than that of the brute."

Macnaghten:"(2) Kosminski- a Polish Jew- & resident of Whitechapel. This man became insane owing to many years indulgence in solitary vices. He had a great hatred of women, specially of the prostitute class, & had strong homicidal tendencies: he was removed to a lunatic asylum about March 1889. There were many circumstances connected with this man which made him a strong 'suspct'. "

Most authors agree that the "utterly unmentionable vices" and "indulgence in solitary vices" is likely to be frequent or public masterbation. This would indicate a condition called Hypersexuality.

Hypersexuality in women is known as "nymphomania". In men, it is known as "satyriasis". It is a disorder in which sufferers' desire to engage in sexual activity is abnormally high. It is characterized by an obsession with sex and decreased sexual inhibition. The most interesting part of Hypersexuality, as it relates to this subject, is that it is a primary symptom of Bipolar Disorder. Studies have shown that Hypersexuality is exhibited in 60%-80% of all Bipolar Disorder cases. As far as I have been able to find, Hypersexuality is not a symptom, or at least a primary symptom of Schizophrenia.

Many people often confuse Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. The reasons for the confusion is understandable: both disorders share many of the same symptoms, causes, and psychotic manifestations (like hallucinations and delusions). But they are not the same thing. And they also are not the controversial phenomenon known as "multiple personality disorder". Schizophrenia is possibly best described as a "split from reality". Bipolar Disorder is a disorder where the personality shows two distinct phases: mania and depression.

Bipolar Disorder is also known as Manic Depressive Disorder. It is a disorder whose onset is usually in early adulthood. The phases of mania are separated by periods of 'normalcy" (depression). The causes of Bipolar Disorder are believed to be:

-genetics
-life events and experiences
-childhood precursors
- neurological abnormalities

The reason I boldened "life events and experiences" is because it is believed that Aaron Kosminski's family probably lived in the forced Pale Settlements in Poland where he would have faced overcrowding and proverty. He more than likely also experienced the anti-semetic and violent pogroms. It has been proposed that he may have even seen his mother, sisters, or other female relatives raped. There is also the issue of the missing father. I have not been able to find anything on when Kosminski's father died, or how he died. But it is doubtless that Kosminski would have faced a very traumatic childhood. For much more detailed info on this, read the excellent books by Martin Fido (The Crimes, Detection and Death of Jack the Ripper) and Paul Begg (Jack The Ripper: The Facts). I am also eagerly awaiting the forthcoming Kosminski related book by some of our members here on the Casebook.

Approximately 50% of sufferers of Bipolar Disorder state that they experienced traumatic childhoods which have included physical and sexual abuse, and witnessing violence.

Some symptoms of the Manic phase of Bipolar Disorder include:

-agitation, irritability, intolerance
-aggression and belligerence
-thoughts of being persecuted
-increased energy levels
-lack of self control
-morbid thoughts or ideations
-racing thoughts
-delusions of grandeur
-belief in possessing special powers
-reduced need for sleep
-binge eating or drinking
-impaired judgement
-sexual promiscuity

Some symptoms of the Depression phase of Bipolar Disorder include:

-sadness
-anxiety
-guilt
-anger
-hopelessness
-loneliness
-lack of interest
-disturbance in sleep and appetite

Extreme cases of Mania have been known to lead to Psychosis. Manifestations of psychotic episodes in Bipolar Disorder include hallucinations and delusions.

Some sufferers of Bipolar Disorder experience a mixed affective stage. This is a stage where symptoms of both Mania and Depression are present.

In some instances, there is also what is known as Hypomania. This is an episode of mild to moderate Mania that does not inhibit functioning. However, the same risks exist. Many sufferers of Bipolar Disorder appear to be quite "normal" and in fact, there have been many cases in which sufferers have been able to adapt to their condition and live and function very well.

There is a social stigma that goes along with disorders such as Bipolar Disorder and Schizophrenia. Many people believe that sufferers are violent. However, studies have shown that schizophrenics are generally non-violent. When violence is present in Schizophrenia cases, it is usually as a reaction to psychotic manifestations (such as hallucinations and delusions). In Bipolar Disorder, violence can be caused by the psychotic episodes as well as the 'normal' aggression, agitation from the Manic phase.

Scientific studies have shown that Schizophrenics are generally not as prone to violence as sufferers from other personality disorders (like Bipolar Disorder). Approximately 50% of sufferers of Bipolar Disorder present some history of violence.

Schizophrenia is also more than twice as rare as Bipolar Disorder. Approximately 1 in 100 people suffer from Schizophrenia. Approximately 1 in 45 people suffer from Bipolar Disorder.

It has also been shown that abuse of alcohol and drugs increases the likelihood of violence in both Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder, just as in the general population.

Now, to Aaron Kosminski

I have seen it asserted many times that Kosminski could NOT be Jack The Ripper because Kosminski was nothing more than a "harmless imbecile". If I see the phrase "harmless imbecile" anywhere in this thread, I am likely to explode.

Imbecile, or "idiot", is a term that historically means a person who presents some level of mental retardation. So when one reads the scant case notes on Kosminski and the symptoms of the depressive stage of Bipolar Disorder, it is very easy to see why someone would assume that he was an "imbecile" or mentally retarded. However, I don't believe that he was "retarded" outside of the condition that he was suffering from. In the notes of one of his admissions, it lists his education level as "R & W" ("reading and writing"). He also stood trial for walking an unmuzzled dog and the reports of this do not seem to indicate that he was mentally retarded. His stating that he didn't tell the officer his true name as being because "Kosminski" is hard to spell is perfectly plausible. It has also been stated (but unproven as far as I know) that he worked in a hospital in Poland and was a hairdresser (though he had not attempted work for years at the time of his admissions in 1891). These things we can gather from the few details we know about Kosminski do not indicate to me that he was mentally retarded or an imbecile.

From the few case notes that we have on Kosminski, it does seem to appear that he was experiencing the different phases of Bipolar Disorder.

In February and April of 1891, Kosminski "refused to be bathed" and "still the same 'instinctive' objection to weekly bath." But by January 1892, "Habits cleanly". He was also "cleanly in habits" in January and September of 1893.

In April 1891, he was "..apathetic, inoccupied..". But by January 1892, "At times excited and violent." Then, by November 1892, he is "Quiet and well behaved". But a few months later in January 1893, he was experiencing "Chronic mania. Intelligence impaired; at time noisy, excited, and incoherent"

To me, it is clear that these are examples of a person who is suffering different stages of an illness, and not a person who is an imbecile or idiot.

Now to the "harmless" part of "harmless imbecile" that so many want to present Aaron Kosmnski as. I don't believe Kosminski was as "harmless" as so many would have him. Remember, there are very few details of his stays in the asylums. At best, we have two or three short annual notes on him. But there are many years missing.

-But we know that it is alleged that he attacked his sister with a knife.
-Feb 1891, "rather difficult to deal with on account of the Dominant Character of his delusions"
-Jan 1892, "At times excited & violent- a few days ago he took up a chair and attempted to strike the charge attendant"
-Jan 1893, "..at times noisy, excited and incoherent;"
-July 1916, "Incoherent and excitable. Troublesome at times."

Are there any case notes that say he cut someone's throat and disembowelled them? Of course not. That does not mean that he presented no propensity for violence. And again, it must be remembered that there are missing periods of his incarceration and that the notes are quick, short, and without much detail.

Based on what I have stated, I completely reject that Aaron Kosminski was a "harmless imbecile". I also have serious doubts that he was Schizophrenic. I believe that he was suffering from Bipolar Disorder, possibly made worse by alcohol abuse. I feel that what little is known about him indicates that he was clearly going through "phases" like the manic and depressive stages of Bipolar Disorder.

Millions of people suffer from Bipolar Disorder. Not very many of them are serial killers. About half of them are not violent in any way. Many of them lead very normal and functional lives. But there is one other thing I want to look at. It cannot be proven whether or not it is relevant to Aaron Kosminski, but it most likely did relate to whoever Jack the Ripper was, and that is a condition associated with depressive disorders known as Antisocial Personality Disorder:

Antisocial Personality Disorder is commonly associated with depressive disorders like Bipolar Disorder. It is characterized by:
-lack of remorse and empathy for others
-disregard for social norms
-aggresive, violent behavior
-promiscuity
-inability to tolerate boredom
-cruelty to animals
-constant lying

The causes of Antisocial Personality Disorder are believed to be genetics or environmental factors. When the cause is genetic, ADP is commonly referred to as Psychopathy. When the cause is environmental factors, ADP is referred to as Sociopathy.

Antisocial Personality Disorder is about twice as common as Bipolar Disorder and about four times more common than Schizophrenia. Antisocial Personality Disorder is estimated to be present in up to 30% of all psychiatric patients (and about 2%-4% in the general population).

Just like with Bipolar Disorder or Schizophrenia, a Psychopath or Sociopath are not incredibly prone to violence. There are many people walking around on the streets and living normal lives who will never know that they are a Psychopath. It doesn't make one a serial killer. But if you combine Bipolar Disorder with Sociopathy, it would absolutely increase the likelihood of violence. If you combined (Bipolar and ADP) both with alcohol abuse, the combination could be expolosive and lethal.

Now, I am not here to prove that Aaron Kosminski was Jack the Ripper. I do strongly believe that he was Bipolar and this could probably have been worsened by alcohol abuse. Whether or not he was a Sociopath (or Psychopath) is completely unproveable. If Kosminski were Bipolar and Sociopathic (and alcoholic for that matter), there were likely to be dozens or even hundreds of men with the same conditions on the streets of London at the time. And I think it is just as likely that some unknown person who suffered from similar conditions could've been Jack the Ripper.

There are a lot of people that want to dismiss Kosminski with the "harmless imbecile" bit. Maybe they truly believe this (I don't). Maybe they want to dismiss him because he conflicts with their own 'pet suspect'. There are a lot of people who seem to dislike or disbelieve Sir Robert Anderson. But I believe that if Anderson threw a dart at a dartboard or randomly selected a name from a hat, he definitely hit on a very likely suspect:

-a man who lived in the heart of the crimes
-a man who suffered, in all likelihood, from Bipolar Disorder
-a man who, if the Bipolar diagnosis is correct, had a 30% chance of being a Sociopath
-a man who lived in an area and at a time where alcohol abuse was almost an epidemic. Where alcohol abuse combined with serious psychological conditions could likely have awful results
-a man may have been the sole occupier of the premises he resided at, or at the very least, not held down by strong family relations that would prevent him from going or coming as he pleased
-a man not held down by a job
-a man who at least twice, allegedly, presented that he was prone to violence

Again, I'm not here to prove Kosminski was Jack the Ripper. I'm only here to point out the facts (or at least the facts as I see them). Of all the "known" suspects, I believe that Aaron Kosminski was the most likely.

I hope this will get some discussion going. I read, researched, and wrote like hell (and I have an undergraduate degree in psychology, if that amounts to a hill of beans). If you have any corrections, additions, or thoughts, let's get it going. If "harmless imbecile" is the ONLY thing that you have to add, I'd prefer it go in someone else's thread.

And again, to whoever is releasing the Kosminski book, I'm looking forward to it.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading and your consideration and time.

Hi pontius
Great post-and especially coming from someone with a background in Psychology.

Let me ask you this and I beleive this is absolutely crucial in viewing Kominsky as a likely suspect. Considering what we know about his mental illness at the time (from the written sources), mental illnesses/conditions now and your above ideas/descriptions, What would be his likely physical appearance and outward behaviour during the ripper murders?

[Natalie Severn]

Pontius wrote:

why don't I provide some evidence? Did you even read the first post in this thread? I laid out pretty clearly that Kosminski displayed the symptoms of someone with a personality affective disorder

Hi Pontius,
Yes I read it and wondered how on earth you or anybody else could come up with such a ludicrous diagnosis or indeed how anybody, who never even met Aaron Kosminski,let alone is not a psychiatrist---[ NB.- a "psychology diploma" is not the same thing as being a qualified psychiatrist can believe they can provide any kind of diagnosis of this man"s psychiatric condition, without several psychiatric consultations, really does beggar belief.Its too ridiculous even to discuss really.
I really dont think you realise what you are suggesting here.

Anyway, what we know for certain is that Robert Anderson was not a psychiatrist,neither was Swanson, they were both policemen ,Anderson had a degree in Law I seem to recall.


Regarding those police who worked on the Whitechapel Murder
We know Anderson made a claim that he and other policemen, knew who the Ripper was .
Anderson"s claim to have known who the Ripper was , was disputed by almost every other policeman at the time.
It was disputed by senior police officers in Scotland Yard such as Macnaghten; by the Inspector in charge of the case on the ground, Abberline, by Inspector Reid also of "H" division , by Godley AND it was disputed by Henry Smith ,The City of London Police Chief.
Just these last three senior police officers , Smith , Abberline and Macnaghten ought really to be sufficient for most people to have very serious doubts about what Anderson said.

With regards [B]Kosminski"s "30" year stay in the two institutions for the mentally ill[/B:
Yes Rob,agreed, there are gaps in the notes.Nevertheless these notes span a period of thirty years . They run from 6 Feb 1891 to his death on Feb. 5th 1919, and in all that time there is just one reference to "threatening" behaviour when he threatened to strike a member of staff with a chair- this was recorded on Jan 9 1892.The rest a series of brief, biannual recordings refer solely to the steady decline of his mental health due to what is termed his dementia.There are no references to violent behaviour.
For those who will respond with 'how common it is for "serial killers" to be so well behaved in custody ,I would like to remind them that in Victorian and Edwardian England ,the drugs we have today, which control such illnesses and allow killers to behave in a quiet ,often responsible way did not exist between 1891 and 1919 .So the liklihood of Aaron Kosmiski, a young man of twenty five on admission, being able to control Jack the Ripper like , murderous impulses,without the aid of modern medication is just ridiculous,especially in the early days of his admission.

[Pontius2000]

Hi Pontius,
Yes I read it and wondered how on earth you or anybody else could come up with such a ludicrous diagnosis or indeed how anybody, who never even met Aaron Kosminski,let alone is not a psychiatrist---[ NB.- a "psychology diploma" is not the same thing as being a qualified psychiatrist can believe they can provide any kind of diagnosis of this man"s psychiatric condition, without several psychiatric consultations, really does beggar belief.Its too ridiculous even to discuss really.
I really dont think you realise what you are suggesting here.

I'd like to ask you for a personal favor. Since my original post was well thought out, researched, and written, I'd appreciate if you'd take your posts elsewhere. You have brought no intelligent discussion to this thread, you are immature, and you continue to insult without bringing any logical ideas into the discussion. You really are what amounts to an "internet troll", trying to drag down someone else's discussion with gibberish. So yes, I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't post anymore. As the author of the original post, I have no desire to discuss this topic with you anymore and don't know how I could make that any clearer.

This topic was meant for people like Phil Carter, Barnaby, Rob House, and others. Thanks.

[Pontius2000]

Hi pontius
Great post-and especially coming from someone with a background in Psychology.

Let me ask you this and I beleive this is absolutely crucial in viewing Kominsky as a likely suspect. Considering what we know about his mental illness at the time (from the written sources), mental illnesses/conditions now and your above ideas/descriptions, What would be his likely physical appearance and outward behaviour during the ripper murders?

Very little is known about his physical appearance. I believe I've seen it said that he had dark hair, average height (possibly, but I'm not sure), and very slight build (at least at the time he died, he's was very slight). being Jewish, he would have likely had at least some type of mustache and beard.

[Abby Normal]

Very little is known about his physical appearance. I believe I've seen it said that he had dark hair, average height (possibly, but I'm not sure), and very slight build (at least at the time he died, he's was very slight). being Jewish, he would have likely had at least some type of mustache and beard.

Hi pontius
i was referring in regards to his physical appearance and behaviour in light of his mental problems. I see you only responded to the physical appearance part of my question-so more importantly then-his outward behaviour?

[robhouse]

I will post a brief reply, since I am at work...


First, I do not really agree with the idea that kozminski had bipolar disorder. I do believe he had a somewhat more severe mental disorder, along the lines of what is commonly regarded as schizophrenia, probably of the paranoid subtype. I say this recognizing that there is considerable debate in the modern times over what exactly should be considered the definition of such disorders, and how exactly such disorders should be differentiated from one another. It has been noted that many people with schizophrenia have co-morbid affective symptoms... this does not necessarily mean that the "schizo-affective" taxonomy is valid... but I am straying from the point. This does not mean, by any stretch, that there is no such thing as schizophrenia. It is a very real mental disorder. Nor do I agree that is it impossible to "diagnose" Kozminski based on what we know. It may well be impossible to be 100% accurate in doing so, but I think it can be safely said that Kozminski had a severe mental disorder, and that it was probably paranoid schizophrenia.

Second, it is a bit of an understatement to say there are merely "gaps" in Kozminski's record. Nor is it accurate to say that "these notes span a period of thirty years." We are in fact missing a huge amount of his records for a 16 year period... and a period that is much more relevant to his mental state at the time of the murders than the records which resume more than 20 years after the murders in 1910. During the period closest to the murders, the records show one example of violence, and also note that he was "at times excited & violent" which implies, by the use of the plural "at times" that the cited example was not the only time he was in fact violent.

With regard to your point about whether or not serial killers are well behaved once confined. The existence of modern day anti-psychotic medication does not have any relevance to this point, since most serial killers are not psychotic. So I would argue the reason they are not violent in prison has more to do with the environment and the restrictions imposed by being confined than it does to do with medications. Also, yes there were no anti-psychotic medications at the time. That does not mean that asylums did not use drugs to "manage" inmates. In fact, the use of chemical restraint was widespread, especially for people diagnosed with mania, as Kozminski was. Hyoscyamine, notably, was in widespread usage at the time for sedating and essentially stupefying patients.

Natalie, you know, I do appreciate your input, and think you are a good researcher. I also have no problem with the fact that we disagree over various things. I do sometimes have a hard time with the fact that you tend to use phrases like "its ridiculous" or "get real" or "its ludicrous" etc. I admit, I sometimes do the same when I am at the end of my rope. But it does not generally encourage productive dialogue.

RH

[Natalie Severn]

I have had several amusing pm"s today, reminding me that Anderson got terribly excited and horrified about this young man"s alleged masturbatory habits .It was pointed out to me that both Anderson and Macnaghten appear to have been a bit "hung up" about it .However,once again I went through every comment made by Kosminski"s doctors and not one of them mention it in connection with his illness! So this seems to have come mainly from the family.I remember a famous film comedy entitled ' Portnoy"s Complaint' which documented the manifestations of anxiety experienced by the family and in particular ,a Jewish mother"s hysteria about her young son"s attachment to such solitary vices" !
I wonder if Kosminski"s family had got a bit uptight about it and had given poor old Kosminski a pile of grief about it?
It didnt seem to concern his doctors in anyway but the family thought it had caused his psychosis!

[Natalie Severn]

Thanks Rob,
Our posts crossed and I was just wondering about the true extent of Kosminski"s "obsessions". But certainly there is absolutely no question that he was very ill and indeed I agree completely with your own analysis about his illness viz a form of paranoid schizophrenia with the visual and auditory hallucinations that often signal the onset of that illness being the most likely.
I agree too that he could, prior to admission, have been developing very strange habits with regards to local prostitutes.He may for example ,have been involved in the Kate Eddowes murder and the witness ,Lawende ,may have recognised him as someone he knew,---or thought he did,in Mitre Square.
Anyway,will continue to look out for your research---which is second to none in this area
Best,
Norma

[Pontius2000]

Hi pontius
i was referring in regards to his physical appearance and behaviour in light of his mental problems. I see you only responded to the physical appearance part of my question-so more importantly then-his outward behaviour?

Well, like Rob said, there are major gaps in the records that relate to Kosminski. But from what is known about him, he was presenting symptoms of different stages of an affective personality disorder, like depression and mania. This is one of the reasons I believe he was Bipolar, though a lot of these symptoms indicate it *could* have been Schizophrenia.

There were times when he was clean, then other times when he could not or would not take care of himself and refused to be bathed.

at times, he was incoherent and would barely mutter answers to questions. then other times where he was noisy and troublesome. then, a few months later, quiet.

he, at least in the beginning, experienced psychotic episodes like hallucinations and delusions ("he says he knows the movements of all mankind", he is "told" to refuse food from others, and is "guided" by an "instinct")

at times he was violent, at other times, not at all.

towards the end of his life, it seems like what "normalcy" he had was completely gone and his mind and body were pretty much shut down.

basically, from the few notes we have, his behavior would have been very unpredictable depending on whether he was experiencing mania or depression.