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
March 1. Much improved; has written to her sister, and amused herself
knitting and reading during the day.
March 2. Allowed to dress; seemed to enjoy the change, and is very
cheerful.
March 4. Visited by her sister; has been quietly cheerful all day. Is
certainly improving wonderfully.
March 20. Took a walk, and enjoyed it.
March 25. Spent the day away from the Home with her sister; returned
looking quite well, and all the better for the change.
April 2. Discharged quite cured.
This patient remained perfectly well, and I hear has since been
legally married.
CASE XLVIII. INCIPIENT MANIA—ONE YEAR’S
DURATION—OPERATION—CURE—SUBSEQUENT PREGNANCY.
In 1863, Mrs. S. M., married, mother of three children, æt. 30, came
under my care, because she had been suffering for more than a year
from menorrhagia, which had gradually affected her mind, causing her
to have a great distaste for her husband; so much so, that he and his
friends were induced seriously to contemplate a separation. On the
first examination, her face indicated mental disturbance, eyes
restless, pupils dilated, and manner generally excitable. She told me
that she could not sleep at night, complained of constant weary
uneasiness in her womb, pain in her back, great pain on defecation,
constant desire to micturate. She said she was glad to be away from
home, as she made every one around her unhappy. Believed that she
would be a permanently insane patient, and never expected to return to
her family again.
On more minute examination, I found irritable clitoris and labia, a
painful fissure of the rectum, with great relaxation of the sphincter
ani, which, on inquiry, was found to be caused by the frequent
introduction of her finger, with a view to peripheral irritation. At
her own request, she had long been separated _à mensâ_ from her
husband, on account of her great distaste for him and cohabitation
with him.
I pursued the usual surgical treatment, which was followed by
uninterrupted success; and after two months’ treatment, she returned
to her husband, resumed cohabitation, and stated that all her distaste
had disappeared; soon became pregnant, resumed her place at the head
of her table, and became a happy and healthy wife and mother. She was
in due time safely delivered, and has ever since remained in perfect
health.
_Remarks._—From observations of this case, one feels compelled to say,
may not it be typical of many others where there is a judicial
separation of husband and wife, with all the attendant domestic
miseries, and where, if medical and surgical treatment were brought to
bear, all such unhappy measures would be obviated?
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