Before we quit the subject of spasmodic diseases, it is essential to remark that, owing to circumstances and peculiarities of temperament, these diseases assume, on certain occasions, and in particular individuals, an extravagance of character which might create a suspicion of their being feigned. _Lord Monboddo_, in his “Ancient Metaphysics,” mentions an extraordinary case of what he calls “jumping ague,” in which the person affected would jump on chairs and tables, and run with great velocity during sleep. _Sir John Sinclair_, in his Statistical account of Scotland, relates also many well authenticated histories of the same disease, and in some parts of Forfarshire it is said to be extremely common; and there is reason to believe that it may be propagated by a species of sympathy; numerous are the instances[567] on record, where the accidental sight of a patient, suffering an epileptic attack, has immediately occasioned a similar attack on the spectator; so that epilepsy has been supposed to be sometimes communicable from one person to another, nearly in the same manner as has been observed of the action of yawning; and agreeably to a notion alluded to by the poet— “Dum spectant oculi læsos, lædunter et ipsi.” Similar spasmodic diseases have been occasioned by religious enthusiasm, and propagated by sympathy, have become in a very wonderful manner epidemic;[568] in such cases, although we must consider those in whom the affection originated as designing impostors, we are bound to acquit the general mass of sufferers of any blame, except that which may attach to excessive credulity.[569] FEVER. The state of the system after a night’s debauch may deceive a person unaccustomed to such inspections. Emetics have also been taken with the same view, and the face has been exposed to the fumes of sulphur. _Foderé_ likewise states that paleness has been induced by smoking _Cummin seeds_;[570] and we have heard that a paroxysm of fever may be excited and kept up by the introduction of a clove of garlic into the rectum. _Dr. Hennen_ says that he has seen many attempts to simulate fever by whitening the tongue with chalk, &c. and he has often met with old soldiers profoundly versed in the history of a paroxysm of intermittent, and very skilful in imitating the rigors. The detection, however, of such artifices cannot be difficult. DROPSY. This is more generally feigned by pregnant women, and for the means to be employed for the detection of the fraud, we must refer the reader to our section on utero-gestation. _Sauvages_ relates the case of a mendicant who gave to his child the appearance of hydrocephalus by piercing the integuments of the head, and gradually introducing air; and _Ambrose Paré_ mentions a similar practice for the purpose of counterfeiting hydrocele.