418 GENERAL NEUROSES, OF UNKNOWN ANATOMICAL ORIGIN. 



history of the case was, that, for years past, the patient had suffered 

 from a similar palsy, which had disappeared at times, and then had re- 

 turned again. This peculiar behavior, together with other hysterical 

 symptoms, left no doubt as to the hysterical nature of the case. The 

 patient had repeatedly been assured that she could be cured by tho 

 application of electricity, and, as her reception at the clinic was delayed, 

 her anticipations as to the success of the treatment were wrought up 

 to the utmost pitch. The opening of her firmly-clinched hands, upon 

 the first application of the electrodes, unmistakably made a great im- 

 pression upon the patient, and from that time forth the paralysis im- 

 proved, and disappeared altogether in the course of a few weeks. No 

 doubt, any other remedy, in which the patient had felt equal confidence, 

 would have been quite as successful. 2 



Among the derangements of the vaso-motor and nutritive nervous 

 systems, the most striking are the uneven and fluctuating state of the 

 circulation in peripheral regions. Most patients constantly have cold 

 hands and feet, while, without apparent cause, the natural color of the 

 face gives place to a glowing redness, often accompanied by a disa- 

 greeable burning sensation. It is uncertain whether the secretion of 

 saliva, and that of the juices of the stomach and intestines, are also 

 modified by spasmodic contraction or paralytic dilatation of the vessels 

 of these organs; on the other hand, it undoubtedly is through de- 

 rangement of innervation that the determination of blood to the kid- 

 neys arises, which causes the profuse secretion of urine so often seen in 

 hysteria. This urine, which is voided in large quantities, contains but 

 little of the solid constituents of urine, is of a li rapid appearance, and 

 is often described as hysterical urine urina spastica. 



It is very difficult to furnish a brief and comprehensive description 

 of the psychical derangements observed in hysteria. In the first place, 

 at the outset of the affection, we are struck by the rapid fluctuations 

 which take place in the spirits of the patient, and by the sudden tran- 

 sitions from the most unbounded gayety to the profoundest gloom. 

 These symptoms are in part ascribable to the physical hyperaesthesia 

 described above, and in part to psychical hyperassthesia, by which it 

 is accompanied. As mental impressions produce an unusual influence 

 upon the temper of the patients, so, too, suggestions which would pro- 

 duce no apparent effect upon the spirits of a healthy person produce a 

 sense of annoyance or of repugnance in an hysterical one, although 

 more rarely the sensation is one of gratification and pleasure. While 

 the affection is still recent, it is almost always possible, by adroitly 

 conducting the conversation, in the course of a few minutes, to make 

 the patient laugh and weep alternately. It would seem also that, 

 besides this psychical hyperaesthesia, there may also be a psychical 



