The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-23

cnUy always at their command. Hallu-
clnatlon and various kinds OF fancies and
delnsions are common"
Usually an attack OF hystcra COM
mences with paroxysm OF crying or
laughter, or OF various movements beyond
the patients control. That sometimes
real Commissions occur has been shown by
the cases OF Charco,. Hystcrical convul.
sions initiate those of epilepsy, but with
out loss Of consciousness. There is no
knowing just what turn an hysterical at
tack will take after its first outbreak.
Sometimes the patients act in the most in
sane manner, are mischievous, talk most
abusively, and even those who are at
other times uneXceptional in their Ian
Rnagc while hysierical ''swcar llkc troop.
ers.' Some ARE wholly ununhngeable
and appear dangerous TO themselves and
to others. Not infrequently. after n vio-
lent fit OF hysteria, the victims suddenly
become quiet, 50 quiet, indeed, that they
lie rs though in a deep sleep. In that
state they remain for hours. That they
breathe is, OF couise, evident, but beyond
that they do not seem 10 move a muscle.
Among the symptoms OF hysteria, that
which is termed by physicians ''globus
Mysterious Is quite common. Patients
presenting that imagine that lump arises
from the pit OF the stomach 10 the throat
and remains there, threatening TO choke
them. In some historical subjects there
is also trouble with The respiratory mus.
Giles, causing q peculiar, harsh, rasping
breathing What is called the hvsterical
cough IL not uncommon. IL Is loud, bark
ing and bnssy. Hystcrical hydrophobia,
in which the patients bark like dog. snap
nj ala - al tl.f-
less many times taken for tho real disease
simulated, and certainly would be sus.
pected in those cases where recovery takes
place. As previously said, there Is a de-
cided tendency for hyslcrical patients TO
initiate diseases, and We frequently find
them apparently paralyzed, blind, etc.
Again, the senses of such pa
tents are often wonderfully acute;
much moro so, In fact, than Is
natural. They very often complain Of
pain in some part Of the body, and fran
tIcally resist examination OF such parts
because Of tho added suffering On the
other hand, we often find patients with
lowered sonsibility, who will endure
pinching pricking with pins, etc, with
out single expression OF pain. Very few
people when well can bear without wine.
ing powerful shocks Of electricity, and yet
some hysterical patients, lying in n trance
like state, will be absolutely doubled up
by an electric current and yet give no
sign that they are conscious Of its APP
plication. Every one knows the conse-
quenccs OF inhaling ammonia, and how
perfectly they are satisfied with good
Whit" But put bottle OF II, no matter
how strong, 10 the nose OF some hysteri-
cal patients and the effect Is wasted. And
80 We might 20 on almost indefinitely in
the description OF the many different
symptoms presented by hystcrical pa
ticnis. But all To no purpose, for In only
a very small part Of the eases OF hysieria !
can non.proicssional, no matter how |
well informed. detect the real trouble: and |
often physicians OF the highest skill and |
largest experience are forced 10 study very |
patiently and closely some hysiericnl sub |
jects before they can determine the true
nature OF their altick.
The matter OF treatment may properly |
be briefly discussed herein; not. however,
with the intention OF encouraging the non.
professional reader 10 apply IL ifhe Ia unlor-
Iunatc enough 10 meet case Of hyHteria,
but that the difficulties under which ply |
aicianA labor may be better understood, |
aud that deserved credit may be given |
them where now, rs q rule. toD many are |
unjustly blamed. Oftentimcs what APP
pear 10 be heroic measures must be used
before hysiercal patients can be brought
10 themselves; their application seems
cruel aud the medical attendant Is consid.
cred rough, harl-hoaricd, etc. As We
said In the bcginnine.a doctor WHO success
fully treats ease Of hystcria, u the attack
Is severe, Is scarcely likely TO be called to
the same patient the second time, and /
moro than likely she and her friends will |
hate him ever altcrward. OF |
course the treatment OF sudden and In. |
tense attack must diiIcr from that which has |
been existing for considerable time,
aud IL what may be termed chronic. |
Tho former should always be cut short |
when possible. Asa rule. that can bo |
done u some powerful impression Is made |
ON the patients mind. hut Il Is herc that |
the physician Is often obstfuctcd BY incon- |
sidcraic friends. Practically they are un. |
der her control, aud ,vmain ~ M long as
thcy exhibit the slightest solctude The |
hyslcrical patient knows all that IN going |
on around her. Her will power IL greatly |
impaired. and Il must be braccd up firmly |
by tho strong, calm aud perfectly even |
control Of the doctor let him be a man |
weak aud undecided, aud she will rccog-
riEo that TACT on the instant. aud any moral |
treatment which lac attempts 10 apply will !
be absolutely useless. Whereas, II she
secs In him her master. lac will not be long
la bringing her 10 herself A physician, |
u known 20 patient 10 bo one who IL
sure % keep his word. can always do bot. |
ter with ahysicfcal patient than astrangcr;
when the former threatens her with some
A. -.
a cold balh-sho generally comes 10 her
senses about the time the preparations are
completed. Here lies the scent OF treat
mcnt In many cascs-thc fact Of the patient
meeting her master. ono OF two instances
will serve as illustration. A patient Ia one
Of the hospitals hcic had habit Of going
into n CONFUSION every time the house
physician stepped into her ward. That
grew decidedly monoionous after awhile,
aud one day, while In one Of her attacks
and seemingly unconscious, ho told her
the next time she had one he would teach
her better hut she did not believe him,
aud the following day showed up M usual
lie had her taken into bathroom aud
laid ON a table. Arranging a rubber sheet
under hcr head, he attached one end OF a
small rubber hose 10 the faucet, aud 10 tho
other the small tube Of syringe. After
playing a small stream Of water against
her face Tor lev minutes, her "tantrum"
suddenly ceased aud she begged the ply
tician ~ shut Oh the wafer. Hut that hc
was la no hurry 10 do. and kept Il up
until the patient was thoroughly
alarmed. lilo then Informed her that
the next attack she had no proposed 10
drown her In the bath tub. Evidently
shc believed that no would make the