clxx Journal of Comparative Neurology. 



The specific hysterical character of some phenomena presented 

 by our patients, has given us most decisive arguments. These we 

 group in three classes : 



(a) Permanent symptoms. These comprise — the hysterical stig- 

 tjiates present in all the cases ; the paraplegia, femoral paralysis, stam- 

 mering and stuttering. 



(b) Transitory symptoms which manifest themselves during the 

 attack and in the intervals. They comprise paresthesia, slight paraly- 

 sis, trembling of the arm, cephalalgia, giddiness and diplopia. 



(c) Transitory symptoms which are manifested only on occasion 

 of the attacks. They include hysterical aura, cbauche d?i delire, psy- 

 chical atira. 



The absence of persistent phenomena of organic diseases has 

 furnished us a useful sign for all the cases. This has served us as an 

 added argument for the diagnosis, never as a basis ; because we know 

 that some cases of organic diseases of the brain have been observed 

 which have remained latent for some time and have given only very 

 vague manifestations. 



The mental state of our four patients is quite characteristic of 

 hysteria; of all the particulars which demonstrate it and which it 

 seems useless to repeat, the following are worthy of note : In all the 

 attacks is shown the reproduction of sensory troubles, motives, or 

 emotions, which have marked the appearance of the disorder, such 

 as paresthesia, trembling of the arm and terror. This shows that the 

 memories of these tronbles occupy the patients' minds with a persist- 

 ency and intensity quite characteristic of a hysterical mental state. 



The following interesting conclusion may be drawn : In all 

 cases of partial epilepsy, before proceeding to the trepanning of the 

 skull, it will be necessary to assure one's self that hysteria is not the 

 cause of the morbid accidents ; for we have seen, in our observations, 

 that it can resemble, perfectly, partial epilepsy. 



Ob servations upon a case of hysterical hemiplegia presenting 

 characteristics not generally belonging to it. The patient is 43 years 

 of age. No diseases worthy of mention in early youth. By trade a 

 bricklayer ; at 1 9 years of age was caught in a falling structure and 

 covered by debris; received an extensive fracture of right parietal 

 bone ; jaws locked for several days. After a year and one half in the 

 hospital, the wounds closed, he convalesced and returned to work. 

 Health perfect ; no functional trouble resulted, save occasional daz- 

 zling of the sight, accompanied by slight and transient dizziness. 

 While lifting a heavy burden, his dorsal spine was injured. Intense 



