Diseases > Domestic medicine

440 buchan’s
irritation of the nerves of the stomach or intestines,
by wind, acrid humour, or the like. A sudden sup¬
pression of the menses often gives rise to hysteric
' fits. They may likewise be excited by violent
' passions or affections of the mind, as fear, grief, anger,
or great disappointments.
Sometimes the hysteric fit resembles a swoon or
fainting fit, during which the patient lies as in a
sleep, only the breathing is so low as scarce to be
perceived.- At other times the patient is affected
with catchings and strong convulsions. The symp¬
toms which precede hysterics fits are likewise various
in different persons. Sometimes the fits come on
with coldness of the extremities, yawning and stretch¬
ing, lowness of spirits, oppression and anxiety. At
other times the approach of the fit is foretold by a
feeling as if there were a ball at the lower part of the
belly, which gradually rises towards the stomach,
where it occasions inflation, sickness, and sometimes
vomiting; afterwards it rises into the gullet, and oc¬
casions a degree of suffocation, to which quick
breathing, palpitation of the heart, giddiness of the
head, dimness of the sight, loss of hearing, with
convulsive motions of the extremities and other parts
of the body succeed. The hysteric paroxysm is often
introduced by an immoderate fit of laughter, and
sometimes it goes off by crying. Indeed there is not
much difference between the laughing and crying of
an highly hysteric lady.
Our aim in the treatment of this disease must be
to shorten the fit or paroxysm when present, and to
prevent its return. The longer the fits continue, and
the more frequently they return, the disease becomes
the more obstinate. Their strength is increased by
habit, and they induce so great a relaxation of the
system, that it is with difficulty removed.