Forcible control of the muscles only aggravates the disease.
90.– Hysteria.
DEFINITION.– A functional disorder of the nervous system, not exclusively confined to women, and therefore not of necessary uterine, but occurring in persons of a morbid impressionability of the nervous centres, and in whom there is not that equilibrium between the nervous and others parts of the organisation which usually exists. The relation of the disease to the sexual system is nevertheless close, but rather on the side of the physical factors in sexual life than the physical. See Neurasthenia.
Formerly an opinion was current that Hysteria was directly due to disorders of the womb; but this we know to be incorrect, for it exists in women in whom all the functions of the womb are healthily performed, and even in women born without a womb; it is also met with in the male sex; men of exalted impressionability, under the influence of some powerful emotion, coupled perhaps with excessive bodily fatigue, break down under their feelings and become hysterical. We look to see what organ is diseased, but find none; the machinery is good, but it is working irregularly; it is the engine with the fly-wheel gone.
SYMPTOMS.– Hysteria is remarkable for the wide range and indistinctive character of symptoms, and the multitudinous disease it may mimic; we may mention especially loss of voice, stricture of the oesophagus, Laryngitis, a barking cough (more annoying to the hearer than tom the patient), pleurisy, heart disease, difficulty in urinating, Neuralgia, diseased of the spine or joints, and many inflammatory diseases. In these cases the patient deceives herself, and by extreme statements of her sufferings often misleads others. In some cases there may co- exist with Hysteria, indigestion, a more or less definite affection of the head, chest, or abdomen, or other condition of impaired health or constitutional delicacy.
The Hysteric Fit.– The patient screams or makes an incoherent noise, appears to lose all voluntary power and consciousness, and falls to the ground. On closely watching a case, however, it will be noticed that there is no absolute loss of consciousness; the patient contrives to fall so as not to injure herself or dress; an attack does not occur when she is asleep or alone; the countenance is not distorted as in Epilepsy; the eyelids may quiver and the eyes be turned up, but the eyes are not wide open nor the pupils dilated, as in Epilepsy, and the patient may be observed to see and to look; the breathing is noisy and irregular, but there is not such absolute arrest of breathing as to cause asphyxia; the fit continues for an indefinite period, followed by a great apparent exhaustion, but not by real stupor.
EPITOME OF TREATMENT.–
1. The Hysteric fit.— Camph., mosch.
2. Between the fits.– Ignatia, Platina, Cimic., Aurum
3. Undefined cases.– Asafoetida, Belladonna, Pulsatilla, Staphysagria, Valer., Cocc., Hyoscyamus, Nux V., nux Mosch.
4. Accessories.– (I) Occupation and recreation. (2) Removal from injudiciously kind friends. (3) The disuse of stimulants. (4) The shower bath. For a fuller description of the causes, symptoms, and treatment, The Lady’s Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment may be consulted.
91.– Hypochondriasis.
DEFINITION.– A functional disorder of the nervous system, attended with exaggerated ideas or depressed feelings, but without actual disorder of the intellect.
SYMPTOMS.– The patient imagines himself, without sufficient ground, the subject of some serious disease, and is often haunted with the dread of insanity or of death. Frequently, at first, the patient considers himself seriously dyspeptic from the face that he is troubled with flatulence, has a furred tongue, foul breath irregular appetite, and generally obstinate constipation. After a time he complains of a gnawing or burning pain, of uneasiness at the pit of the stomach, or of more serious disease. He has great hope of getting rid of his malady, and strong faith, notwithstanding repeated failures, in treatment. Afterwards, from attention being directed to particular organs, functional disturbances arise– flushes, palpitation, suppression of bile, or bilious diarrhoea; symptoms which tend to confirm the belief that organic disease exists.
CAUSES.– Hereditary influences are potent and common; a taint of insanity, or other grave nervous disease, may be generally traced in near or remote ancestors. The development of the disease is usually in connection with the conditions of middle life, especially indolence and luxury; or, on the other hand, with anxiety and conscious failure in the efforts to provide for relations and dependents. Severe shocks of a moral or emotional nature may give rise to the malady. The patient’s complaints may, however, be not merely fanciful, but due to actual disease. Organic diseases of the liver or stomach are especially likely to evoke the systems of Hypochondriasis, or they may arise, or be excited into new action, by a concurrent morbid process. The statements and symptoms of a hypochondriac should therefore be carefully examined. It is often said that reading medical books frightens person into the disease. This cause must, however, be very limited and trifling compared with the more potent and general operation of such influences as grief, fatigue, the failure of efforts, or the miserable and heart-wearing habits of an idle life.
TREATMENT.– Nux Vom.– Hypochondriasis associated with affections of the liver, irritability, and fractious disposition.
Aurum.– Melancholy, which nothing seems to affect; loathing of life or a suicidal tendency; religious melancholy; uneasiness, apprehensiveness, sullenness, and indisposition to conversation.
Arsenicum.– Melancholy, with debility7; also for the burning pains sometimes complained of.
Ignatia.– Dejection caused by the loss of friends, pecuniary disappointments, or other depressing circumstances.
Pulsatilla.– Patients inclined to weep, and of a quiet and gentle disposition, the reverse of the Nux Vom. temperament.
Platina.– Where the dejection is caused by derangements of the uterine functions, especially at the change of life. Sepia and Anacardium are also useful in similar conditions.
ACCESSORY MEANS.– The weary mind should be relieved, and vigour of body and cheerfulness of spirit secured by a course of out- of-door exercises, physical training, bathing, suitable dietetic arrangements. Horse exercise and cycling are particularly advantageous. Exercise should be employed in such a manner as may be amusing to the patient, and to the extent of the healthy action of the muscles, but never sufficient to produce severe fatigue. If Indigestion exist, the article on that subject should be consulted. Hypochondriasis from sexual vices requires the aid of a physician.
92.– Neurasthenia.
DEFINITION.– A state of exhaustion of the nervous system giving rise to forms of mental and bodily inefficiency. This is a disease as yet none too well defined; it runs on the one side into hypochondriasis; on the other into recognisable pathological states of the nervous system. But whereas with hypochondria there is generally plenty of nerve energy available though the consciousness is unduly concerned with the state of health, with neurasthenia the nerve energy is conspicuously deficient.
Heredity plays a part, for some are born with a similar reserve of nervous energy and give out more readily under stress.
Apart from heredity the most frequent cause of neurasthenia is stress and strain and particularly all the strains that can be classed as worried Infectious diseases (Influenza prominently), abuse of drugs, alcohol, tobacco, are predisposing factors. but it must also be remembered that a neurasthenic often finds temporary relief in alcohol or drugs, and so acquires the habit as a result, not as a cause of his disease. The chronic intestinal infections (Gartner, Proteus) already spoken of, are common underlying causes of Neurasthenia. The terrible strain of the Great War showed what a large part persistent stresses can play in causing the disease. Finally, sexual disturbances play a large part here a s in hysteria. It is not disease of the sexual organs but bulked or unsatisfactory or disagreeable sexual experiences which leave the nervous system shaken and unstable. This is, in brief, the doctrine of Freud and his followers, and there is a great deal of undoubted truth in it.
SYMPTOMS.– These are very variable; physical and mental debility, loss of will power, more or less melancholy. These are constant as is also as a rule a low blood pressure. Hyperaesthesia is common, also sleeplessness. Otherwise the patient’s subjective symptoms are seldom found to correspond to objective physical signs. Lack of self-control, the irritable humour, finally a generalised sense of grievance against everything and everybody. These are the ultimate stages. Anxiety about special points (disease, death, etc.) develops, or one of the special fears (phobias). Of these, fear of being alone, of closed spaces, of open spaces, of thunder, etc., are the most usual. Reflexes are increased; subjective heart symptoms and the pain or pressure in the head are all common. So are flushings and sweatings, pulsations of big vessels. A movable kidney is often found.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."