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OF HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS.

When they arise from a foulness of the stomach and intestines, or obstruction in the hypochondriac viscera, aloetic purges will be proper. Inave sometimes known the Harrogate sulphur-water of service in this case.

When the low spirits proceed from a suppression of the menstrual orof the hamiorrhoidal flux, these evacuations may either be restored, orsome others substituted in their place, as issues, setons, or the like. Dr.VVhytt observes, that nothing has such sudden good effects in this case* bleeding.

When low spirits have been brought on by long-continued grief, anxiety,or other distress of mind, agreeable company, variety of amusements, andchange of place, especially travelling into foreign countries, will affordthe most certain relief.

Persons afflicted with low spirits should avoid all kinds of excess,especially of venery and strong liquors. The moderate use of wine andother strong liquors is by no means hurtful; but when taken to excessthey weaken the stomach, vitiate the humours, and depress the spirits.This caution is the more necessary, as the unfortunate and melancholyoften fly to strong liquors for relief, by which means they never fail toDrecipitate their own destruction.

OF HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS

These likewise belong to the numerous tribe of nervous diseases,which may be justly reckoned the reproach of medicine. Women of adelicate habit, whose stomach and intestines are relaxed, and whose nerv-ous system is extremely sensible, are most subject to hysteric complaints.In such persons an hysteric fit, as it is called, may be brought on by anirritation of the nerves of the stomach or intestines, by wind, acridhumour, or the like. A sudden suppression of the menses often givesrise to hysteric fits. They may likewise be excited by violent passionsor affections of the mind, as fear, grief, anger, or great disappointments.

Sometimes the hysteric fit resembles a swoon or fainting fit, duringwhich the patient lies as in a sleep, only the breathing is so low asscarcely to be perceived. At other times" the patient is affected withcatchings and strong convulsions. The symptoms which precede hystericfits are likewise various in different persons. Sometimes the fits come onwith coldness of the extremities, yawning and stretching, lowness ofspirits, oppression and anxiety. At other times the approach of the fitis foretold by a feeling, as if there were a ball at the lower part of thebelly, which gradually rises toward the stomach, where it occasions in-flation, sickness, and sometimes vomiting; afterwards it rises into thegullet, and occasions a degree of suffocation, to which quick breathing,palpitation of the heart, giddiness of the head, dimness of the sight, lossof hearing, with convulsive motions of the extremities and other parts ofthe body, succeed. The hysteric paroxysm is often introduced by animmoderate fit of laughter, and sometimes it goes off by crying. Indeedthere is not much difference between the laughing and weeping of ankighly hysteric lady.

Our aim in the treatment of this disease must be to shorten the fit o,paroxysm when present, and to prevent its return. The longer the fitscontinue, and the more frequently they return, the disease becomes tire