On the Curability of Certain Forms of Insanity, Epilepsy, Catalepsy, and Hysteria in Females — John Shaqi
On the Curability of Certain Forms of Insanity, Epilepsy, Catalepsy, and Hysteria in FemalesBrown, Isaac Baker
Science
On the Curability of Certain Forms of Insanity, Epilepsy, Catalepsy, and Hysteria in Females
Brown, Isaac Baker
Clitoridectomy
_History._—For six years has suffered from a feeling of fulness,
weight, and heat at the lower part of abdomen, with pain in the back,
and “bearing down.” At this time her menses had just ceased. Has not
slept well for three or four years. Wakes every hour. Is always
restless and fidgety. Frequent desire to micturate, with pain on doing
so, and often desire without power to void it. Bowels costive;
digestion indifferent.
She is a nervous, restless woman, with glistening and constantly
wandering eye—pupils dilated. Has suffered from peripheral irritation
for many years.
Nov. 21, 1861. Usual operation performed. A week later, slept well for
four hours, the first time for many years.
Dec. 1. Has lost the irritability of the bladder, and passes water
every four hours only; lost also the bearing-down pain; restless
excitement gone.
Dec. 7. Eats and sleeps well; is cheerful and grateful; leaves the
Home cured, having been in only three weeks.
In 1863 was perfectly well.
CASE V. FISSURE OF THE RECTUM, WITH HYSTERIA—OPERATION FOR THE
FORMER—RELIEF—SUBSEQUENT OPERATION FOR HYSTERIA—CURE.
Mrs. L., æt. 55; admitted into the London Surgical Home Dec. 9, 1861.
_History._—Is a widow. Has for many years suffered from all the
inconveniences of a fissure of the rectum, combined with bad
digestion, undue nervous excitability, and sleepless nights. Is very
anxious to be cured. It being thought that all these symptoms might be
due to a painful fissure of the rectum, the ordinary operation for
this affection was performed on December 12. The bowels were opened in
a few days without pain, and the fissure was healing well. Being,
however, still sleepless, excitable, and irritable, questions were
asked which showed that a further operation for removal of another
source of irritation was advisable; therefore, on December 24, I
performed my usual operation. The next night she slept well. She
became quiet and cheerful, and on January 6, 1862, she was discharged
quite well.
_Remarks._—This case is very interesting, as it shows that there may
exist at the same time more than one irritation exerting inhibitory
influence.
CASE VI. HYSTERIA, WITH EPILEPTIFORM ATTACKS IN CHILDHOOD—VARIOUS
AILMENTS FOR THIRTEEN YEARS—OPERATION—NO BENEFIT.
H. D., æt. 23 single; admitted into the London Surgical Home April,
1862.
_History._—When very young, until ten years of age, had frequent fits.
Improved in health till she was fourteen years of age, when she began
to suffer from abdominal enlargement. First menstruated at nineteen.
Is constantly sick after meals. Has been in nearly every hospital in
London. The patient is very hysterical, and is always _talking_
religion.
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