Feb. 28. Has improved daily, and leaves the Home this day cured.
Case XXXI. Cataleptic Fits—Two Years’ Illness—Operation—Cure.
M. N., æt. 17; admitted into the London Surgical Home September 4, 1861.
History.—Was perfectly well up to the age of fifteen, when she went to a boarding-school in the West of England. In the course of three or four months she became subject to all symptoms of hysteria, and from that time gradually got worse, having fits, at first mild in character and of rare occurrence, but gradually mere severe and frequent, till she became a confirmed cataleptic. For several months before admission, she had been attacked with as many as four or five fits a day, and during the whole journey from the North of England to London she was unconscious and rigidly cataleptic. She was seen immediately on arrival, and there was no doubt that it was a genuine case of this disease. So sensitive was she, that if any one merely touched her bed, or walked across the room, she would immediately be thrown into the cataleptic state.
Before making any personal examination, Mr. Brown ascertained both from her mother and herself, that she had long indulged in self-excitation of the clitoris, having first been taught by a schoolfellow. The commencement of her illness corresponded exactly with the origin of its cause; in fact, cause and effect were here so perfectly manifested, that it hardly wanted anything more than the history to enable one to form a correct diagnosis. All the other symptoms attending these cases were, however, well marked.
The next day after admission she was operated upon, and from that date she never had a fit. She remained in the Home for several weeks. Five weeks after operation, she walked all over Westminster Abbey, whereas for quite a year and a half before treatment, she had been incapable of the slightest exertion.
Case XXXII. Cataleptic Fits—Many Years’ Duration—Operation—Cure.
In 1861 I saw a lady, æt. 50, single—a patient of Dr. Dawson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
She had been suffering from cataleptic attacks for several years, gradually increasing in severity. As in the previous case, the mere touching or shaking of her bed would induce an attack—indeed, the simple brushing of her dress by any one passing her when she walked out of doors, would immediately be followed by a fit. History and examination plainly confirming me in my opinion as to the cause of her attacks, the usual treatment was adopted, and from that time to this she has never had an attack.