Case XIX. Menorrhagia—Mental Delusion—Two Years’ Illness—Operation—Cure—Subsequent Marriage and Progeny.
A young lady, æt. 20, came under my care in 1863, having for two years past suffered from almost constant menorrhagia, during which time she had suffered great irritability of temper, been disobedient to her mother’s wishes, and had sleepless nights, restless desire for society, and was constantly seeking admiration; all these symptoms culminating in a monomania that every gentleman she admired was in love with her, and she insisted on always sending her carte de visite to her favoured one for the time being. In her quieter moments she would spend much time in serious reading. On being consulted, I quickly discovered that all these symptoms arose from peripheral excitement, and that there existed no organic disease to cause the menorrhagia. The usual plan of treatment was followed with the most rapid and marked success. She went the full interval between the ensuing menstrual periods, and the secretion was normal in quantity. All her delusions disappeared, and after three or four months of careful watching, with change of air, she was perfectly well in every respect. A year afterwards she married, and ten months later gave birth to a healthy son. She is now again pregnant.