HYSTERIC AFFECTIONS.

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ed, may be brought on by an irritation of the nerves of the stom-ach or intestines, by wind, acrid humour, or the like. A suddensuppression of the menses often gives rise to hysteric fits. Theymay likewise be excited by violent passions or affections of themind, as fear, grief, anger, or great disappointments. — It appearsunder such various shapes, imitates so many other diseases, and isattended with such a variety of symptoms, that it is difficult togive a just character or definition of it ; and it is only by takingthe aggregate of its appearances that a proper idea can be convey-ed of it to others.

Sometimes the hysteric fit resembles a swoon or fainting fit,during which the patient lies as in a sleep, only the breathing is solow as scarcely to be perceived. At other times the patient is af-fected with catching« and strong convulsions. The symptomswhich precede hysteric fits are likewise various in different per-sons. Sometimes the fits come on with coldness of the extremi-ties, yawning and stretching, lowness of spirits, oppression andanxiety. At other times the approach of the fit is foretold by afeeling, as if there were a ball at the lower part of the belly, whichgradually rises towards the stomach, where it occasions inflation,sickness, and sometimes vomiting ; afterwards it rises into thethroat, and occasions a degree of suffocation, to which quick breath-ing, palpitation of the heart, giddiness of the head, dimness of thesight, loss of hearing, with convulsive motions of the extremitiesand other parts of the body, succeed. The hysteric paroxysm isoften introduced by an immoderate fit of laughter, and sometime-:it goes oft" by crying - . Indeed there is not much difference betweenthe laughing and crying of an hysteric lady.

Our aim in the treatment of this disease must be to shorten thefit or paroxysm when present, and to prevent its return. Thelonger fits continue, and the more frequently they return, the dis-ease becomes the more obstinate. Their strength is increased byhabit, and they induce so great a relaxation of the system, that itis with difficulty removed.

It is customary, during" the hysteric fit or paroxysm, to bleedthe patient. In strong persons of a plethoric habit, and where thepulse is full, this may be proper ; but in weak and delicate consti-tutions, or where the disease has been of long standing, or arisesfrom inanition, it is not safe. The best course in such cases is torouse the patient by strong smells, as burnt feathers, asafcetida, orspirits of hartshorn, held to the nose. Hot bricks may also be ap-plied to the soles of the feet, and the legs, arms, and belly, maybe strongly rubbed with a warm cloth. But the best applicationis to put the feet and legs into warm water. This is peculiarlyproper when the fits precede the flow of the menses. In case ofcostiveness, a laxative clyster with asafcetida will be proper : andas soon as the patient can swallow, two table-spoonsful of a solu-tion of asafcetida, or of some cordial julep, may be given fre-quently.*

* When hysteric fits are occasioned by sympathy, they may be cured by exciting anopposite passion. This is said to have been the case of a whole school of young ladiesin Holland, who were all cured by being told, that the first who was seized should beburned to death. But this method of cure, to my knowledge, will not always succeed