Case XI. Hysteria—Many Years’ Illness—Operation—Cure—Marriage and Progeny.
Emma K., æt. 22, single; admitted September 16, 1863, into the London Surgical Home.
History.—Commenced menstruating at 15 years of age, but owing to the use of cold water during a period, the secretion was arrested for six months; the function was then restored, and has ever since continued normal. At 16 she suffered from piles, which occasioned very much irritation and pain after each evacuation, aggravated by constipation and by walking. Though regular as to time, there is always excessive catamenial flow, and it lasts for eight days. Has been under long and varied medical treatment, without benefit.
Examination showed peripheral irritation, as evinced by the abnormal condition of the external genitals.
Sept. 17, 1863. The usual operation performed.
Oct. 1. Progressing most favourably.
Oct. 22. Leaves quite cured.
1866. This lady married, and was delivered August, 1865, of a living child. She is still quite well.
It will have been observed that one very prominent symptom in many of the foregoing cases is sleeplessness, or perhaps more properly, frequent wakefulness at nights, and constant restless movements in the day. These are the cases which, if left to go on, are very liable to terminate in insanity. The three following are instances in which the hysteria was verging on this state, and as they can hardly be classed under the head of insanity, I prefer narrating them here.