SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 5<( 



fear will bring on the disorder. As it is hard then, to deter- 

 mine, whether it will have a repressing effect, or will incite to 

 action in order to repel the object, we can but rarely apply these 

 pathemata reprimentia. But when this fear is brought on 

 less suddenly, and made to excite an apprehension that is per- 

 manent, and regards some future rather than present evil, it 

 has an extraordinary effect in epileptic and hysterical cases. 

 The remarkable case of the epilepsy at Haerlem is known by 

 every one. (See MCCCXXXI.) 



" A permanent grief and anxiety also, which so often excites 

 hypochondriac disorders, will frequently cure hysterics. Thus 

 in the year 1745, whilst the people laboured under constant 

 anxiety about the rebellion, many nervous patients were observ- 

 ed in Scotland to remain remarkably free from their usual com- 

 plaints. Persons, too, who have been long subject to nervous 

 disorders, have often by some great misfortunes had these dis- 

 orders allayed for a considerable time. 



" The operation of cold in diminishing the mobility of the sys- 

 tem is difficult to explain. We find cold to act as a remarkable 

 stimulus on the system. In this way, then, it may serve to in- 

 crease the tonic power, and by that means, obviate this mobi- 

 lity. But independently of its stimulating power it may, mere- 

 ly by inducing a contraction, increase the tonic power, and so 

 extend its influence over the whole system. Perhaps, too, cold 

 may act directly in diminishing the mobility. This seems very 

 probable, for when carried to a certain length, it will destroy 

 mobility entirely. In support of this, we find that proper hys- 

 teric diseases, depending on this mobility, are more seldom met 

 with in cold countries. Accordingly, instead of a cold bath, 

 living in a cold air is a better method to obviate these disorders, 

 the air here acting as a permanent cold. The common air of 

 our climate is excellently adapted for hysteric patients ; while 

 living in warm rooms, over a fire, is sure to increase their com- 

 plaints. For this reason it is, that in the hottest climates spas- 

 modic distempers are more common and severe than in the more 

 northern. The tetanus, the most violent of this class, is almost 

 peculiar to the torrid zone ; while in the same way in Europe, 

 the hysteric disease, and, indeed, spasmodic complaints in gen- 

 eral, are more severe in Spain and Italy than in France, 



