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._—Married four years and had two children; the labours have
been bad, and followed by severe hæmorrhage. Had aborted at six weeks,
a fortnight previous to admission, and had lost a large quantity of
blood. First suffered from epileptic fits at puberty; had several
before marriage, and has had four or five since marriage; but has
never had a fit when pregnant. Not very regular in menstruation, which
is accompanied with severe pain. Has constant pain on right side of
head, in back, loins, &c. Great pain in micturating and on defecation.
She is always totally unconscious during the fits, and they are
followed by extreme prostration. Is of melancholy aspect, excessively
anæmic, and somewhat chlorotic; even the mucous membranes (of mouth
especially) are blanched. The cause of her fits being diagnosed, the
usual _operation_ was performed May 14.
May 18. Progressing excellently.
May 20. There was great irritability of the bladder, which, however,
was immediately relieved by an alkaline and henbane mixture.
May 31. Has not had any return of her bad symptoms until to-day, when,
on being removed to a strange ward, she had a fit, not of violent
character, and followed by a heavy drowsiness.
June 2. Is quite herself again.
July 4. Has left quite well in every respect, and when heard of many
months later remained well.
_Remarks._—The fit following on change of this patient from one ward
to another where there were strangers, shows how important it is for a
permanent cure, that visitors and relatives should not be allowed to
excite and agitate a patient suffering from these attacks after an
operation is performed, and when the mind is hardly restored to its
natural balance.
CASE XXXVII. EPILEPTIC FITS—TWO YEARS’ DURATION—OPERATION—CURE.
H. C., æt. 20, single; admitted into the London Surgical Home Feb. 24,
1864.
_History._—About three years since, first commenced ailing.
Menstruation ceased for four months, when it appeared for two days.
Fifteen months then elapsed before the function was restored.
Epileptic fits have been developed for about two years. The patient at
the commencement of an attack is strongly convulsed, has no
premonition, and is perfectly unconscious. Frequently falls when
walking in the streets. Has often hurt herself in her falls, and also
bitten her tongue. Has the usual symptoms of bearing-down of the womb,
and pain in the loins. No pain in defecation. Bowels costive. Pain in
micturition, and sometimes retention of urine, occasionally not
passing any for two days.
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