' Account of a singular Convulshe Affection. 89 



twelve to twenty, or twenty- five, and of the affected, 

 there are more females than males. There is scarce- 

 ly one girl in ten, between the age of twelve and 

 twenty, that has not had, or now has, the exercise. 



Of those persons who attend religious worship, and 

 of both sexes, the affected are -very generally such as 

 are of the most vigorous and healthy constitution. 



I do not recollect to have heard of any persons tak- 

 ing it in their sleep. 



It has intermissions, which, however, are not regu- 

 lar. It does not appear with any malignant exacer- 

 bations. Some continue to have it from the first 

 commencement of the affection. 



The intermissions, in general, continue as long as 

 the person is absent from worship. To this rule, 

 however, there are exceptions ; for the affection fre- 

 quently recurs on a surprize, from serious reflection ; 

 from depression of spirits ; from sorrow, or from 

 grief. 



A discontinu'ance of the affection, for weeks or 

 months, is frequent; and, in some instances, there is 

 a total cessation of the affection ; while new cases 

 are as frequently recurring. 



The affected generally continue healthy ; except in 

 •^ome few instances, where the affection, having been 



VOL. II. PART I. M 



