REVIEW. 91 
<f Again, the same writer observes, ‘ Hysteria may simulate 
paralytic affections.’ 
* ^ 
“ c The paralytic form of hysteria is sometimes connected with 
spasm., inability to move being attributable rather to this than 
to loss of power. This affection may occur in a single limb 
or in both ; it may even closely imitate paraplegia.’ 
“ ‘ Pain in the dorsal or lumbar vertebrae with tenderness upon 
pressure of the spinous processes is often complained of by 
females of a delicate constitution ; and although it may exist 
independently of hysteria, yet it is frequently associated either 
with it or with uterine irritation . 5 
:jc # * * * 
“ ‘ Hysteria may be manifested by pain in various parts of 
the abdomen, or in the abdomen generally. When it extends 
over the abdomen, it is sometimes accompanied with excessive 
tenderness, and great inflation of the bowels. It may then 
be mistaken for peritonitis. 5 * 
“ Such are the facts upon w hich I found my opinion with 
regard to the identity of my cases with the disease e hysteria 5 
in woman. To me the similarity appears so close as to 
warrant my concluding that this Identity is satisfactorily 
established. The similarity, I contend, is as close as that of 
any other equine affection to that of its prototype in man. 
To prove this more fully, however, I will compare the more 
prominent symptoms of each case with the quotations w T hich 
I have selected. The principal symptoms in case I, were, 
violent convulsive or spasmodic movements of the limbs ; excessive 
perspiration ; hot skin ; difficulty of breathing ; the ejection of 
large quantities of bloody urine ; tonic spasm of the gluteal muscles , 
and muscles of the back ; clonic spasm of the diaphragm ; pain in 
the left side , with inability to rise upon the feet . In case II, in 
addition to the above, we have a constricted state of the ab- 
dominal muscles , together with a more marked state of clonic 
spasm of the costal and diaphragmatic muscles. In case III, 
the disease w r as not of so violent a character, but still we find 
the general symptoms present, together with wildness of 
look, and a propensity to bite the woodwork of the stable , and 
other articles contiguous to where the animal stood. In 
case IV, the eye presents a dejected look, with coldness of the 
posterior limbs at the time when the skin in other parts was 
hot, and perspiring in patches. In case V, w 7 e find the pulse 
at the onset of the attack to be suppressed ; the respirations 
* Copland’s Medical Dictionary, article * Hysteria.’ 
