At the first commencement of convulsions the features become gradually fixed, the eyes are expanded and distorted, the breath is drawn with difficulty, and all consciousness appears to cease. The body then begins to twitch, the mouth opens, usually on one side, the tongue protrudes, the head turns on one side, and the blood rushes to it and the face in great quantities. In a short time the jaws close again with great force, and the tongue is bitten if proper care has not been taken to prevent it. At last the eyes began to twinkle, the mouth moves as if the patient were muttering, and the nostrils expand; the arms are thrust straight down by the sides of the body, with the hands firmly closed; the legs are stiffened straight out, and the body is bent back like a bow. In short every muscle is affected with spasms, which are sometimes fearfully violent, and may endure for a considerable time. When they subside, the fit gradually terminates and passes off. During the whole time the breathing is difficult, the mouth froths very much, and the heart palpitates quickly, but irregularly. When the spasm is over the patient falls into a perfect stupor, during which she remains unconscious, but with all the limbs soft and moveable, except the fingers, which appear to grasp. The jaws generally remain closed, and so do the eyes, but they may be easily opened, and will sometimes remain open; the breathing becomes powerful and loud, and the pulse beats with rapidity. At last slight motions are observed, and consciousness gradually returns, but the memory is generally gone for some time. This state of stupor usually lasts from ten minutes to half an hour, but has been known to continue for many hours, or even a whole day. The spasm seldom continues more than from one to ten minutes, though it has lasted for an hour or more. These convulsions might be mistaken for ordinary hysteria by those not acquainted with the difference. In hysteria however the female moves about and struggles more; she also cries out, and retains both sensibility and consciousness, so perfectly even sometimes that she requests those around to hold her, which is never the case in convulsions. During the stupor it might be supposed, by any one not aware of the previous fit, that the patient was suffering from apoplexy, or intoxication, the appearance being so similar to that exhibited in those states. This shows the necessity for careful inquiries as to what has previously occurred.