

SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 499 



uterus, or in other parts of the genital system, may occasion 

 the spasmodic and convulsive motions which appear in hysteria. 

 It will, at the same time, be evident, that this affection of the 

 genitals must especially occur in plethoric habits ; and every 

 circumstance mentioned in the history of the disease, serves to 

 confirm this opinion with respect to its proximate cause. 



" The Prognosis, By the repetition of hysterical paroxysms, 

 frequently the irritability of the system may be so increased, as 

 in a manner to render the disease habitual, or at least to allow 

 the slightest occasional cause to excite it : but any habitual dis- 

 ease must be of very difficult cure, as it is necessary to change 

 what is now become a law of the system. But, besides this, if 

 the irritability be so increased as to allow the slightest occa- 

 sional cause to produce the distemper anew, our cure must also 

 be very precarious ; for the slightest trespass in any of the non- 

 naturals may baffle our remedies. 



" The immoderate use of venery, as it is a matter in which 

 the physician is not consulted, may often have this effect; but 

 the indulgence or excitement of the passions is still of worse 

 consequence, and is equally out of the power (or at least inclin- 

 ation) of the patient, as well as of the physician, to moderate. 



" The hysteric disease can be, and I believe often is, re- 

 newed at pleasure. This, I know, is often doubted, but I be- 

 lieve rather because it is difficult to explain, how involuntary 

 motions should thus be raised than from any weakness in the \ 

 evidence for the fact ; it will not be so extraordinary, however, 

 if we reflect on the following observations : Merely by recalling 

 to my imagination any piece of indiscretion which I thought I 

 had committed, I have in my chamber, and alone, often 

 blushed as warmly as when the indiscretion was committed. 

 Many laugh by themselves in the same way, and still more 

 can, by the imagination of mournful scenes, induce a flow of 

 tears. None of these, however, are voluntary motions; but 

 they serve to show, that by teaching, as it were, the imagin- 

 ation to recall at pleasure the ideas which can excite such and 

 such motions and involuntary actions, we can in a manner 

 render such emotions and actions subservient to the will. I 

 knew a lady who was subject to violent hysterics, for which 

 for a long time I could assign no reason, till at length, on 



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