The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-23
ATTACKS OF MYSTERIES.
NOT ALWAYS LIMITED TO WOMEN
AS SUPPOSED.
Quite Common Among soldiers-Tho
Nature and Cause of the Trouble
Developed by spirltualism-Met
OF Cure--Interesting Gases.
From the Boston Herald.

as ohc Hllent HdAuIAHN hupnOie, inc
physician is constantly called upon to treat
cases Which he would gladly avoid were
he actuated purely by scli.intercst. And
among such cases few are more trouble
some and unsatisfactory than those OF hys-
terra. In case OF tn at affection, even.if
perfectly successful, he never wins any
credit; in fact, ii the attack is severe and
he isforced toapPly treatment accordingly,
he may feel reasonably sure that he will
never be called in 10 the same patient
again, at least not ii she can prevent it,
1t would certainly be better for physicians
were hystcria and the treatment demanded
in ii better understood by people generally,
Tor reasons which will appear later on in
this brief discussion OF 1t. Hystcria is a
arrangement OF the nervous system which
maniiests itself in many different ways,
and presents many different phases. As,
Tor instance, one patient may be so vio-
lent rs 10 be dangerously unman.
ageabe, while another may lie ior
hours rs though dead. Ii is a functional
disorder, affecting different parts OF the
nervous system, but exhibiting itself first
by mental disturbances, the will, reason
and imagination being perverted. Women
suiler from II most, and il usually makes
lis appearance between the ages OF twenty
and thirty years. But men are by no
means exempt from IL, although il Is quito
rare among them, at least in this country.
That would not appear 10 be the rule
everywhere, however for il has recently
been stated that the existence OF hysteria
among Russian soldiers is by no means an
exceptional occurrence. The affection, il
Is said, presents In them the same diyersi-
ties OF form as II does among women.
Frequently men suffering from this aifec-
ton are put down as malngerers. Other
cases are looked upon as instances OF So
rious but somewhat obscure organic disease,
the true nature OF the case being nearly al.
ways overlooked, because It is not gcncr-
ally supposed that soldiers are liable Ia
hysieria. One physician in Moscow, who
has had an opportunity OF studying no less
than thrty-eighi cases OF il In the military
hospital there, IL convinced that hysteria
ought 10 be recognized M one OF the aflec.
tions which entillc the subject OF il TO OK
emption from military service.
While the TACT has long been recognized
that hysicria does occasionally number
children among lis victims, such cases are
accepted TO bo uncommon, and, doubtless,
Tor that reason II II sometimes overlooked.
Of late We have had moro OF IL among
them. Charcot, of Paris, In one OF his lectures
last summer, related In detail the histories
OF three children living in a peniteniary,
and developing hysteria under the infu.
encc Of certain spiritualisiic exhibitions
INDUCED In by their parents and otherA
OF the three children, two werc BOYS; one
WIS older and the other younger than the
girl, who was between thirteen and four.
teen years. The seancc OF spiritualsm, from
which the trouble dated, was prolonged
from o'clock in the morning until
o'clock in the evening. The little girl In
question played the role OF medium. At
the end OF tLc seance she was taken with
convulslvo paroxysms, which were 10.
pcaied from fifteen 10 twenty times day.
until she came under the care OF Dr. Char.
cot In the hospital some four months
later. Tho younger brother, aged eleven
years, was present with his sister nj
the scance OF spiritunlism, but
u made no impression on his mind,
and yet, some six weeks after she had
been attacked, he, too, was taken with a
III OF historical dclirium. Two DAYS later
the other brother, in his turn, had fits
similar In character. From that time forth
the three children could never come 10.
guthcr In the house without having lust
such attacks The girl would begin, her
brothers would follow her example, and
this would happen several times a day.
After while the children were sont 10
the hospital. At last accounts one had
entirely recovered and the others had i'm.
proved 10 much cure was merely a mat
~ OF n short time. Instances Of hysteria
similar 10 the one described
C,e.J harcot have been known In this coun.
otry. A report has recently come from a
Western State that three children in one
family, ranging from six 10 twelve years Of
age, were suddenly seized with violent
paroxysms, In which they rayod like
mnniacs and irothed at the mouth "a n
affected with hydrophobia. II ia further
stated that the children had 10 be locked
In separate rooms, and that at regular
intervals they went into violent convu.
aions which were No severn the little
one. had TO be restrained by strong attend.
lnu 10 prevent them injuring themselves.
Tie influences which render one liable 10
attacks OF mysteries are many. II Il most
likely 10 occur IN women who suffer from
nervous debility, or In those In whom the
nervous system h highly oxritahlc. AMI
hence easily disturbed those Whose PAR
enis have had such nervous diseases "a
epilepsy, ~. Nitus's dance, insanity. etc.
are peculiarly liable TO become victims of
hyucfia. Great mental disturbance. such
NJ fright, anger, grief, etc, prcdisposes 10
iis development In fact. any Influence
which deprcsscs aud wuakcns the nervous
system may be held NJ one of lis causes,
Children, and especially little girls dee.
Tined In later yeaH 10 become hysicrical.
often exhibit, says one writer. peculiar
highlincss and cXoitablliiy OF temperament,
violent and unreasonable temper. ready
disposition 10 cry or scream on the least
pto,ufaiion, and are especially liable
10 the forms Of digestive disturbances
which torment adult mysteries Among
thcsc, haiulencc Is the most frequent
and noticeable, and iis persistent rccur.
renee M girls Of nine " ten years OF age
apefiod nj which the digestion should 10
expected 10 b. the most perfect ought
always TO excite solicitude ~ warning
OF future hyslcria. Whimsical appetite.
regnrgilaiion Of food Immediately after
SWALLOWING and without nausea, sensations
Of sinking at tho pil Of the stomach,
efaNinf iof iood, OF which only few
mouthiuls cause safety OF even disgust.
Jhcso and other indications Of nervous
dypepia are 10 be dreaded, not only for
their Immediate influence on the nutri.
ton. but ~ indications Of an impericction
OF The, nervous system most liable 10
predisPo<e 70 the serious disease In cues.
ton. Headache, especially when seated
on one sidaor In one temple, l. another
symptom. ohen, Of hyS,crcal Significance.
10, also, u . Liability 70 pain In tho left