11 



HV-HTHIA. 



HYSTERIA. 



811 



in feet, which throws the system of such IrriUble females out of 

 the natural state, whether it ct primarily on the body or mind, may 

 give ri*e to nervous symptoms or hysteria. From the frequent occur- 

 renoe of a deranged state of the blood and secretion*, tome forms of 

 this, disease bare been called nemnira. 



The most frequent exciting cause of the hysterical paroxysm Is, 

 perhaps, a sudden and intense emotion of the uiin.1. 



Trtaiment. During a 6t of hysteria, oare should be taken to pro- 

 rent the patient receiving Injury from her head or hands striking 

 against the floor or li ml I- -lies, and to guard against the propensity to 

 y placing a folded cloth between the teeth. If the flt be alight, 

 it mav fremiently If arrested by dashing cold water over the face, or 

 by filling thi -Mi-thing which has an unpleasant taste, as 



salt; or a stimulating scent may be held to the nostrils. If th< 

 paroxysm 1 >nged and violent, it will be proper, shouM tin? 



nee be flushed and IIP td hot, to apply wet cloths to the forehead, and 

 to loosen all the drees about the neck ami cheat. If a continued 

 stupor intervene, medical old may be required. When there is loss 

 fulness about the head, small doses of stimulants, such as sal volatile 

 in water, will be useful. 



\Vhen the frequent return of the fits seems to depend on a full state 

 of b.xly, or on irritation, means calculated to remove these causes 

 must be adopted. If an unnatural state of the uterine functions be 

 suspected, those must be attended to. Frequently the sufferer from 

 hysteria is feeble and bloodless, and in a state of general M.TV..U, 

 debility ; in such persons, all measures likely to strengthen the general 

 health, proper diet, regular hours, change of air, and toulc medicines, 

 should be put into practice. The preparations of iron are especially 



useful The state of mind of the patient should, In these case*, be 

 inrtictilarly regarded. 



!'. .r the treatment of the pains and other anomalous nervous symptoms 

 no rules can be laid down ; they will frequently resist all modes of 

 palliative treatment The great principle, however, must not be for- 

 gotten of removing all causes which can re-act prejudicially on the 

 nervous system or the general health. 



The n. -nous ..UM .-ptil.ility wlii.-li pn-.lisposes to hysteria is, without 

 i)mil>t, fre.|u- Mstitution.il ; but it i : many 



cases acquired ; and it it uften to be attributed, in a great measure, to 

 the education of young females. " A. luxurious and delicate mode of 

 living and of rearing, says Dr. Copland ; "a neglect of whatev. 

 motes the power* of the constitution, especially of suitable excr- 

 the open .iir, und of early hours as to sleeping and rising ; an 



i mode of education, and the ex. it. in, nt ,,f the ini.i 

 of the emotions, to the neglect of the intellectual ixiwerx ami 

 xentiments ; too great devotion to music ami tin- i 



u.s means by which the feoliofig an- awaken- 

 acute sensibility is promoted, whilst every nianifentiitioi- 

 corefully concealed ; and studied endeavours to dissemble <1 

 straggle to b expressed, all serve, especially at a IK ri.~l when the 

 powers of the mind and the conformation <if the body are approaching 

 development, to produce that state of the nervous system of 

 hysteria is one of the most frequent indications." The i i 



hysteria cannot certainly be hoped for until the educati f f< n 



directed more towards strengthening their body and improving the 

 tone of their mind, so as to enable them to bear disappointments, and 

 to control, not merely conceal, their passions. 



