CLASS II. 2. 2..2. OP SKNSATION. 



leptica, in which a total loss of appetite, and of the power of di- 

 gestion, suddenly occurred along with epileptic fits. Miss B. a 

 girl about eighteen, apparently very healthy, and rather plump, 

 was seized with fits, which were at first called hysterical; they 

 occurred at the end of menstruation, and returned very fre- 

 quently with total loss of appetite. She was relieved by vene- 

 section, blisters and opiates; her strength diminished, and after 

 some returns of the fits, she took to her bed, and has survived 

 15 or 20 years; she has in general eaten half a potato a day, 

 and seldom speaks but retains her senses, and had many years 

 occasional returns of convulsion. I have seen two similar cases 

 where the anorexia, or want of appetite, was in less degree; 

 and but just so much food could be digested, as supplied them 

 with sufficient strength to keep from the bed or sofa for half a day. 

 As well as I can recollect, all these patients were attended with 

 weak pulse and cold pale skin; and received benefit by opium, 

 from a quarter of a grain to a grain four times a day. See Class 

 III 1.1.7. and III. 1. 2. 20. and Suppl. I. 14. 3. 



2 Jldipsia. Want of thirst. Several of the inferior people, 

 as farmers' wives, have a habit of not drinking with their dinner 

 at all, or only take a spoonful or two of ale after it. I have 

 frequently observed these to labour under bad digestion, and de- 

 bility in consequence; which I have ascribed to the too great 

 stimulus of solid food undiluted, destroying in process of time 

 the irritability of the stomach. 



3. fmpotentia (agenesia.) Impotency much seldomer happens 

 to the male sex than sterility to the female sex. Sometimes a 

 temporary impotence occurs from bashfulness, or the interference 

 of some voluntary exertion in the production of an effect, which 

 should be performed alone by pleasurable sensation. 



One who was soon to be married to a lady of superior condi- 

 tion to his own, expressed fear of not succeeding on the wedding 

 iiiirlr he was advised to fake a grain of opium before he went 

 to bed, and to accustom himself to sleep with a woman previously, 

 but not i-o enjoy her, to take off his bashfulness; which succeeded 

 to his wish. 



Mr. John Hunter in his work on the venereal disease, has given 

 an ingenious section on this subject of mental impotence, in which 

 he relates a successful mode of treatment. He prevailed on a person 

 in this situation to promise on his honour to pass six nights in bed 

 with a young woman without attempting to have connection with 

 her, whatever might be his power or inclination. He after- 

 wards assured Mr. Hunter, that this resolution had produced 

 such a total alteration in the state of his mind, that the power of 

 connection soon recurred, for instead of going to bed with the 



