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
The recovery of this patient was rapid and uninterrupted. After the
operation, she never had a fit, and hardly a headache. She was
discharged Jan. 20, 1862, perfectly well, and with greatly increased
mental power. When heard of at commencement of 1864, she remained
well, and had had no recurrence of any of her old symptoms.
CASE XXXV. EPILEPTIC FITS—FIVE YEARS’ DURATION—PRECEDED BY CATALEPTIC
FITS, DURING THE TEN PREVIOUS YEARS—OPERATION—CURE.
In the beginning of April, 1862, a single lady, æt. 28, came under my
notice, giving the following account of herself.—When about ten years
old had a fit, whilst she was sitting at needlework; she fell down
suddenly as if dead, and remained insensible for two hours; was very
ill for three weeks after the attack. Was quite well until the age of
fourteen, when she began to have them every three months. When about
twenty-two had an interval of eleven months without a fit, but
frequently fainted during that period. During the time she was in the
fits she would be perfectly unconscious. She was told that her limbs
were quite rigid, and always remained in the exact position in which
they were when the fit commenced. In 1857 the fits changed in their
nature—the patient at first falling down quietly, but subsequently
becoming very convulsed, and trying to hurt herself. The first of this
nature lasted two hours and three-quarters. Has lately had them much
oftener, but not always of the severe form. Has had eight severe fits
in the last two years and a half, besides the milder, which come
sometimes a dozen in a fortnight. Is unconscious, but always knows
when she has had one. Foams at the mouth, but makes no noise. Has
frequently fallen down suddenly in church and other public places. Has
been under many physicians, all of whom have been of opinion that she
is suffering from genuine epilepsy.
April 2. Clitoris excised.
April 6. Has had no attack, but complains of occasional pain in the
top of her head.
She never had an attack after the operation. Returned home in a month,
and shortly afterwards she was thrown out of a pony chaise; she had no
fit, but wrote that, prior to treatment, a very much slighter accident
would have immediately produced one.
I heard of this lady later in the year; she was still quite well. Not
having heard since from her, as was agreed when she left me, I am
satisfied that she has had no relapse.
CASE XXXVI. EPILEPTIC FITS—MANY YEARS’ DURATION—OPERATION—CURE.
N. L. M., æt. 21; admitted into the London Surgical Home May 9, 1863.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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