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Hysteria |
-JAHR Georg Heinrich Gottlieb
Symptoms. – Sensation as of a ball rising from the stomach into the throat, fits of laughter and crying, shrieks and screams, with violent twisting and writhing of the body and limbs, tearing of the hair, and beating of the arms, etc.
Medicinal treatment
IGNATIA MOSCHUS and NUX VOMICA are the most suitable remedies, one of which will generally relieve the paroxysm.
DOSE. – Four drops in a wineglassful of water, a dessertspoonful every ten minutes during the paroxysm; afterwards, every two or three hours until entirely relieved.
Accessory treatment:
Admit plenty of fresh air; apply burnt feathers, smelling salts, or spirits of camphor to the nose; bathe the temples with ether, or Eau de Cologne : and dash cold water into the face, or over the limbs. The attendants should be perfectly calm, and pay no attention to anything said by the patient. To remove the tendency to hysteria, take active exercise in the open air, and on horseback if possible; rise early, take regular meals, have nourishing food, variety of scene, and cheerful society: diverting the mind as much as possible from the patient’s own state of health. The application of cold water, shower baths, sea bathing, etc., should be persevered in, to invigorate the system, as likewise active labour in the open air, garden, etc., if practicable. – See under Hysterical Fainting.