Did Mary Lincoln need committal?

[Eva Elisabeth]

(06-16-2013 08:27 AM)JMadonna Wrote:  "Insanity" is a legal term not a medical one.

If “insanety” is just a legal term, what is the corresponding medical one? And what does it embrace? Does it include the possibility to recover, or, moreover, to be completely cured? (To me “insanety” sounds a bit like a state beyond the point of no return).

Donna, thanks for your illustrative summary. I’d agree on your last statement, especially regarding that later on Mary was able to think clearly and rationally enough to manage to free herself from institutionalization and being ruled sane in a second trial.