The sun., 1885-06-07
TEE NERVOUS PHOBEAA
carisss Mental Diseases Of Modern Civiiissa
LIN.

L,fs.
The various characteristics OF that class OF
nervous troubles which are said to owe more
or loss OF their development to tho strained
conditions OF q high civilization are becoming
gradually grouped together. and the neurolo-
eists arc giving them descriptive names. Some
OF these designations. such, for instance. as
photophoba. or the aversion to light. have al
ready crept into general literature. and others
which have been recently added to the list will
soon find their way to most readers. Tho
words are recognized not only as handy terms
with which to express . somewhat complicated
GLASS OF facts. but they represent . wide range
OF those nervous feelings which most people
have observed In themselves or their friends.
but OF which they have hesitated to speak.
=, While the symptoms referred 70 may be some.
times Indicative Of aHSrra;op 10 81 mind large
which often gives rise to amusement rather
the dislike Of being in any closed place--we
smile because the victim seems to have mild
The troubie in is Sc severe form is described In
recent case IN which lady insisted unon leay.
Ing GS5 hH door ,sys at bs
ease resulted. for she became at last unable to
understand that there was more danger to be
approhended from burglars than from closed
door. Her house was. In fact. twice robbed on
its opposite. claustrophilia. tho person vii!
close up all the doors with excessive care. and
make matters warm for her friends during the
n asoraphobia. or the fear Of crossing q
square or walking across a large room. we have
lSssencd BY being in company with some one;
Most OF the troubles are associated With Kind
scribos the fear OF moving from place whero
we are seated. or even Of getting out Of bed.
ono of tho quite recent terms Is anthropho;
meeting
9oss ssSs fG% tine
have horror oi being Introduced to people;
would return presently. and thon. as i she had
to a chat with hor caller.
,PIhobo,pphoha j. a 4 more serious trouble The
hapren, to frehten him. II. is sometimes de-
veiored through nervous shock. though the
rroerssslye nervous SYMPTOMS Of this kind
several people were injured. The patient came
at last @ to Inn @imaGining wheneyer he walked al @ out
evil Intentions. His friends were oven nirnid to
make gestures while sneaking with 4, him for fear
Covered % under % Treatment. % Ono patient @ % ieit In
though her lie had been especially, free from
out Of patience with her. She was not able in
change Of air and scene. with suitable diet
airy. restored her competeIy.
is aey ~ ess Or tho saP 81
being poisoned. Dr. c. N. Hughes stutss that
It begins mos. frequently In altered feeling.
sensation. or impression. unnatural and unnc-
countabe to tho victim OF the morbid change:
tho Judgment is soon swayed to a remarkable
superiority OF tho intellect ovor tho feelings
and impulses. the latter usually mould the
teIleet is soon cantivs to tho unreal impress
sion" st Ihe unlortunate person may be under
h9 hE @ I'D SSnd
touches Sis is morally or sti physieay beiouIeds But
physician lately described to tho writer two
tho patient Was with diiilsnlty persuaded @ az Sa to
RnrehinsSm m the necessary mod,cm nc
arsenic or or something into his medcine." In
another cnse man was reported to tho doctor
rs Hv the table In
table to lil his goblet with water at the faucet.
invariably took the interior portions OF q dish
ana HIS sads
took him to the doctor after two or three cooks
ease 81 S h said
the physician. was that OF one OF my patients,
day ns he entercd my office I observed that he
was about to faint. placed him at full length
full Of ammonia and nitric ether-a mixture
often, used in such circumstances-bu was
greatly surprised to obserye look OF horror
imporccptiblo gesture OF refusal. He went on
into faint almost Immediately nfterward. and
on coming out OF 1t made no explanation. nor
did question him had boen treating him for
anTm!a. but now suspected mental trouble.
was a prey to toXiphobia. 1t is mistake for
people to, concea! such troubles from their
doctor. We can often do great deal for them,
and frequently put them in tho way OF cure
when We meet them in time"