3IO APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY 



hysteria. The person laughs or cries at trivial things. The 

 motor and sensory regions often seem paralyzed. Persons 

 may even wound themselves to inspire sympathy. Yet 

 there may be most violent convulsive movements. A well- 

 marked case closely resembles the actions of a spoiled child 

 when his will is crossed. 



The treatment of hysteria is to arouse the will power. Expressions 

 of sympathy only make the condition far worse. A firm and stern 

 nurse can usually command obedience. Any sudden fright will gener- 

 ally break up an attack. 



564. Insanity, A persistent lack of control of the 

 brain in one or more directions is called insanity. Ner- 

 vousness often repeated and yielded to may become insan- 

 ity. Worry and overwork are extremely common causes, 

 while alcohol causes half the cases in asylums. Often the 

 weakness of the brain cells is inherited. 



A person about to become insane is changed in dispo- 

 sition and character. There is a lack of self-control and 

 of judgment. Prompt rest and care of the body may over- 

 come the attack, but a strong-willed friend will be needed 

 to guide the treatment, for the patient thinks that every- 

 body except himself is wrong. 



565. Forms of insanity. In insanity there are no new mental 

 traits or possessions by demons, as used to be supposed, but only an in- 

 crease of some mental acts and a decrease of others. The expression 

 .an unbalanced mind well describes the condition. There are three 

 main forms of its disturbance, giving rise to three forms of insanity. 



An increase or hastening of one or all mental acts sometimes takes 

 place. The thoughts flow faster than words can express them, and so 

 the talk is a meaningless gibberish. The senses are uncommonly alert, 

 and one may think he hears and sees things which do not exist. He 

 cannot understand why others are so slow and dull, and so is apt to 

 show violent outbursts of temper. Yet although he may harm others, 



