It may generally be distinguished from epilepsy by the absence of foaming at the mouth, which is nearly always present in that disease, and also by the peculiar twinkling of the eyelids, which is a distinguishing symptom of great v:lue, and a sign of safety. In epilepsy there is laborious or suspended respiration, dark livid complexion, a protruding and bleeding tongue ; rolling or 286 | Tur Dowinton Cook Boor. ae staring and projected eyeballs, and a frightful expression of | countenance. Not so in Hysteria; the cheeks are usually red, and the eyes, if not hidden by the closed eyelids, are bright and at rest; the sobbing, sighing, short cries, and laughter, too, are characteristic of the latter affection. We point out these distinctions so that no unnecessary alarm may be felt during a fit of Hysteria, which is seldom attended with ultimate danger either to mind or body, although the symptoms are sufficiently dis- tressing to cause anxiety. Treatment.—The first efforts must be directed to prevent the patient, if violent, from injuring herself; but this should not be done in a rude, rough manner. It is, pethaps, best to confine her” hands by wrapping tightly round her a sheet or blanket. The dress should be loosened, especially round the throat, and the face freely exposed to fresh air, and both that and the head well washed with cold water; if she can and will swallow, an ounce of camphor mixture, with a teaspoonful of Ether, Sal-volatile, tincture of Assafoetida, or Valerian, may be administered ; strong Liquid Ammonia may be applied to the nostrils ; and if the fit is of long duration, an enema injected, consisting of Spirits of Turpentine, Castor Oil, and Tincture of Assafcetida, of each half an ounce, in half a pint of gruel. What is required is a strong stimulus to the nervous system ; therefore, dashing cold water on the face, and hot applications to the spine, are likely to be of service. Sir A. Carlisle recom- mends that a polished piece of steel], held in boiling water for a minute or two, be passed down the back over a silk handker- chief. This has been found to prevent the recurrence of the paroxysm, which has before been periodic ; by which it would seem that the patient has some power of controlling the symp- toms when a sufficiently strong stimulus is applied to enable or induce her to exercise it. During the intermission or attacks of Hysteria, attention should be devoted to any constitutional or organic defects, from which they are likely to arise; the patient’s mind should be kept as tranquil as possible, and a tendency to all irregular habits or excesses held in check ; if plethoric, there should be spare diet, and perhaps leeching ; if scrofulous and weakly, good nourishing food and tonic medicines, particularly some form of iron, the shower bath, regular exercise, cheerful com- pany ; antispamodics, and remedies which have a gently stim- Yar Docror. 207 | ee ‘ eet as _—_ ulating effect, will frequently relieve the sleeplessness complained of by hysterical patients better than opiates and other narcotics. In such cases Dr. Graves recommends pills composed of a grain of musk and two or three grains of Assafcetida, to be taken two or three timesa day. A change in the mode of life, involving entering upon new cares and duties, will frequently effect a complete cure of Hysteria, which, it has been observed, seldom attacks women of a vigorous mind. It is extremely de- sirable that, in the education of young females, the bodily powers should be well exercised and developed. Too little attention is paid to this generally, and the consequence is that a great many of our young women are weak and nervous, and frequently subject to hysterical affections. 1003. Quinsy.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

It may generally be distinguished from epilepsy by the absence of foaming at the mouth, which is nearly always present in that disease, and also by the peculiar twinkling of the eyelids, which is a distinguishing symptom of great value, and a sign of safety. In epilepsy there is laborious or suspended respiration, dark livid complexion, a protruding and bleeding tongue ; rolling or 286 | Tur Dowinton Cook Boor. ae staring and projected eyeballs, and a frightful expression of | countenance. Not so in Hysteria; the cheeks are usually red, and the eyes, if not hidden by the closed eyelids, are bright and at rest; the sobbing, sighing, short cries, and laughter, too, are characteristic of the latter affection. We point out these distinctions so that no unnecessary alarm may be felt during a fit of Hysteria, which is seldom attended with ultimate danger either to mind or body, although the symptoms are sufficiently distressing to cause anxiety. Treatment.—The first efforts must be directed to prevent the patient, if violent, from injuring herself; but this should not be done in a rude, rough manner. It is,perhaps, best to confine her” hands by wrapping tightly round her a sheet or blanket. The dress should be loosened, especially round the throat, and the face freely exposed to fresh air, and both that and the head well washed with cold water; if she can and will swallow, an ounce of camphor mixture, with a teaspoonful of Ether, Sal-volatile, tincture of Assafoetida, or Valerian, may be administered ; strong Liquid Ammonia may be applied to the nostrils ; and if the fit is of long duration, an enema injected, consisting of Spirits of Turpentine, Castor Oil, and Tincture of Assafoetida, of each half an ounce, in half a pint of gruel. What is required is a strong stimulus to the nervous system ; therefore, dashing cold water on the face, and hot applications to the spine, are likely to be of service. Sir A. Carlisle recommends that a polished piece of steel, held in boiling waterfor a minute or two, be passed down the back over a silk handkerchief. This has been found to prevent the recurrence of the paroxysm, which has before been periodic ; by which it would seem that the patient has some power of controlling the symptoms when a sufficiently strong stimulus is applied to enable or induce her to exercise it. During the intermission or attacks of Hysteria, attention should be devoted to any constitutional or organic defects, from which they are likely to arise; the patient’s mind should be kept as tranquil as possible, and a tendency to all irregular habits or excesses held in check ; if plethoric, there should be spare diet, and perhaps leeching ; if scrofulous and weakly, good nourishing food and tonic medicines, particularly some form of iron, the shower bath, regular exercise, cheerful company ; antispamodics, and remedies which have a gently stim- Yar Docror. 207 | ee ‘ eet as _—_ ulating effect, will frequently relieve the sleeplessness complained of by hysterical patients better than opiates and other narcotics. In such cases Dr. Graves recommends pills composed of a grain of musk and two or three grains of Assafcetida, to be taken two or three times a day. A change in the mode of life, involving entering upon new cares and duties, will frequently effect a complete cure of Hysteria, which, it has been observed, seldom attacks women of a vigorous mind. It is extremely desirable that, in the education of young females, the bodily powers should be well exercised and developed. Too little attention is paid to this generally, and the consequence is that a great many of our young women are weak and nervous, and frequently subject to hysterical affections. 1003. Quinsy.

The Ideal cook book