THE general Signs then are Three, by which I think, the Hysterick may be readily distinguished from all other Affections, namely,——
I. IT is a Muliebrian Disease, and that only familiar to some of the more delicate Women: When therefore we know, from the Patient herself, or from those about her, that she is obnoxious to this Affection; the Hysteric Symptoms also appearing, we need not suspect any other Distemper. II. Hysterical Women complain frequently of their Wombs being ill-disposed, and out of order. As, III. They are most commonly helped and freed from the Paroxysm, by holding Fœtids to the Nose, and Suaveolents to the Pudendum; which holds good in no other Affection. But more particularly——
THIS Distemper differs from a Syncope, in that, a Syncope is precipitant, and seizes the Patient all at once, tho’ ’tis but of short Duration; Whereas in this, some evident Signs of an approaching Paroxysm always precede, and the Evil continues sometimes for several Hours and perhaps Days: In that, the Pulse is quickly abolish’d, or at least seemingly ceases; in this, it remains, however small, except in the aforementioned extreme Fit: In that of a Syncope, cold Sweats appear, and the Countenance changes pale; and when the Heart is severely affected, it may be probably conjoin’d with the Hysterick Affection.
NOW This Distemper differs also from an Epilepsy: For in That the Convulsive Motions are not always join’d with it, or if they be, they are not so universal, affecting only one or other Member: In Epilepticks, the Pulse is greater than ordinary; but in Hystericks, it is the Reverse: In that the Patient foams at the Mouth, and loses the principal Functions of Life, especially the Memory; in this they foam not, neither commonly lose any internal Sense; but only awake like those who have been asleep.
THIS Affection differs again from the Apoplexy, in that the Parts are not so much affected, nor their feeling so much abolished; in that there is no continual Snoaring, and the Pulse is only diminished and depraved, which in Apoplectics most commonly remains entire: In short, the one is preceded, as well as accompany’d with diverse Symptoms; whereas the other assails the Patient suddenly, without any previous Notice or Signification.
AGAIN the Hystericks differ from a Lethargy; in that This is attended with a Fever; That not at all: In This the Pulse is raised higher and is stronger; in That it falls always lower, and is weaker.
MOREOVER, there are diverse Experiments, mentioned by Authors, to distinguish a Patient in the extreme Fit of this Passion, from a Person actually Dead: Such as Lint, Feathers, or burnt Paper being held to the Mouth; if moved, the Patient breathes. A Glass of Water being set upon the Breast; if stirred, there is some Motion and Dilatation still in the Breast. Or, in fine, a Looking-Glass well wiped, being held to their Mouths, if infected, the Patient is still and certainly alive.
HOWEVER, all These Things, I look upon to be merely trifling and uncertain in this Case; because, supposing the Woman not to breathe, as has been hinted; How then can she expire so much from her Lungs, as to move a Feather, or infect a Glass? Or, how can her Breast have any such a Motion, as to move Water in a Glass? Considering well, what has been already said, that it is only by internal Transpiration, that she draws the Breath of Life; which is neither effected by the Motion of the Breast, nor the Lungs; but rather by a certain obscure and latent Motion of the Heart, and the internal Arteries: In such manner, as some Animals, living in Cells of Obscurity, seem to be refrigerated, or benumb’d and Dead the whole Winter-Season.
BUT in this Case, the more certain Method is, to try the Patient with proper Sternutatories, such as are otherways useful in all such Paroxysms, for if alive, she will be quickly mov’d by Sternutation: As when the Body begins to send forth a Cadaverous Smell, it is a certain Sign that the innate Heat is extinct with the Life, and that the Body is no more supported by the Soul. Wherefore the safest and surest way is, not to bury such Persons, before the Expiration of 72 Hours, reckoning from the beginning of the Fit: Because, if in this Time, which is the Crisis, or Term of the Circuit of all the Humours in the Body, they do not revive, there is no more Room left for Hopes.
IN the next place, I come to mark the Diagnosticks, whereby it may be best distinguished, which of the before-mentioned immediate Causes, gives Rise to the HYSTERICK PASSION in any Woman labouring under the same Malady. And, I. IF it proceeds from the Menstruous Blood, in this Condition, the Natural Course must needs be suppress’d, either in whole or in part: And the Difference of the Quality of this BLOOD, is evident from the foregoing Symptoms.