HYSTERESIS. 414 HYSTERIA. standpoint, because each time the magnetization of a picoe of iron is reversed — as hapficns at each altcriKitiuM of an alteriiatinj;; electric current — there is a delinite amount of cnerfjj' lost in heat- ing the iron, and tliis amount depends on the hysteresis. There is anotlier kind of hysteresis which is quite <li(rerent. If a given magnetizing current is applied suddenly to a rod of iron, it may not attain its full magnetism instantly; ami the fact that time is required to reach this is said to be die to "viscous' hysteresis or 'mag- netic lag.' For a full discussion of the impor- tance of liysteresis. and of the molecular theory, which explains it. consult Ewing, Magnetic In- duction (London, 1801). See Magnetism. HYSTE'RIA ( Lat., from Gk. OaHpa, hystera, womb; connected with Lat. ulvnis, womb, Skt. U(lara, belly). A diseased state of the nervous system characterized by a great variety of symp- toms denoting disordered nervous functions. It was formerly considered to be a disease of tlie womb, and hence came its name; and it was at one time thought to be trifling and under the control of the will of the patient. Both these ideas are erroneous; for hysteria is frequently found among males, and is a disease of very serious nature, involving not only the brain and spinal cord, but also the peripheral nerves and the sympathetic system. While comparatively rare among AngloSa.xons, it is said to be wide- spread among Latin nations and Scandinavians, being especially frequent among the French. Hysteria arises from predisposing causes of an hereditary natire. such as parental alcoholism, epilepsy, insanity, or hysteria, as well as in- judicious training or education in youth, with depressing influences, as of surroundings. Ex- citing causes are overwork, worry, excessive re- sponsibility, sexual excesses, profound or pro- longed grief, and emotional or other mental shock, and lastly severe trauma, such as a rail- vva}' accident, fall, or blow may produce. Hys- teria is found among the working classes as well as among the idle, wealthy, and self-indulgent, who have never learned .self-control or practiced self-denial. Two forms of hysteria are described, for reasons of convenience rather than for scien- tific reasons, as follows: (1) The form of the disease in which the patient is e.xcitable. emo- tional, and perverse without cause and without intention, and has disturbances of sensation, motion, circulation, secretion, and excretion; usually falling into this condition after strain or stress, a disappointment, or great fatigue. (2) The form of the disease in which the patient has convulsive attacks, known by some as hys- teria major, in contradistinction to the former variety, which is sometimes called hysteria minor. The patient may suddenly sink to the floor, become partly unconscious" and rigid, and, either turning pale or remaining ro.sy. may breathe violently for a few minutes, arid then recover jierfect consciousness. Or the pa- tient may sink to the floor after experiencing a sharj) pain or an aura of some sort, uttering a little cry or calling for help, with pale or ashen face, and dilated pupils. Convulsions follow rigidity, resembling epileptic convulsions; there may be frothing at the mouth; after a short relaxation, during which the patient gasps, a repetition of the convulsions occurs, with absolute unconsciousness. Then the patient rolls, tossing the arms and legs about, and assum- ing various rigid positions, occasionally bending the head forward, doubling up tlie body, clench- ing the lists, and folding the arms across the chest or the abdomen, or bending the head and feet backward in the pose called opisthotonos. After several repetitions of such actions, the patient 'remaining unconscious, relaxation occurs with a short period of repose, followed at once by attitudes of petition, depression, gayety, etc., the patient being delirious and talking of past events or imaginary encounters, not recognizing, though speaking with, those around lior. and controlled by hallucinations of sight and hearing. In a varying time the delirium ceases and the patient becomes conscious, exhausted, and com- plaining of tenderness in some part of the body, passes a large quantity of pale, limpid urine, and generally resumes her occupation or goes about her house as if nothing had happened. The whole attack may last from
to .50 minutes.
If these attacks are frequently repeateil, the patient's slrcnglh is rapidly undermined, and she may be confined to her berl. The form of hysteri.i with convulsive seizures is often called hystcroepilepsy (q.v. | — an unfortunate and mis- leading term, which should not l)e used. It really means a combination of hysteria and epilepsy in the same person, which is possible, but rare. Ilyi^eralgesia confined to certain spots, circum- scribed areas of ana>stliesia. or anicstliesia of a half of the body, hysterical deafness, hys- terical blindness, twitching of muscles, or con- tractures of groups of muscles, the 'ijlobus hystericus,' or feeling of a lump in the throat, spasmodic closure of the glottis with pseudo- asthma, retention of urine, paralysis (cither hemiplegia or paraplegia), palpitations of the heart, flushing of face, neck, and scalp, with sweating, coldness of extremities or of the en- tire body, oedema of the extremities, menstrual irregularities, and vomiting of fluid, are among the symptoms of the disease. Mental changes are certain to occur, amounting only to lack of balance and of will jwwer, or inipairnicnl of memory in some, in otliers also recurring melan- choly, rapid emotional play, lack of power of application, impaired judgment, diminished re- gard for truth, and craving for sympathy. The last two symptoms are the basis for the peculiar actions of 'fasting girls;' self-mutilating mar- tyrs; alleged sulTerers who feign paralysis, pain, tumor. st(me in the bladder, etc., and who eagerly submit to surgical operations. Hysteria is not dangerous to life. Recovery is rare in prolonged ea^es, though proper treat- ment may be followed by cure in cases in which symptoms have reappeared upon provocation many times in the course of a year or two. Harshness used on the erroneous supposition that willfulne.>» or perversity is at the foundation of hysteria always docs harm, and is unjustifiably brutal. Relief of strain and of worry, change of environment, removal of the patient from home and from accustomed companions in the family, and treatment for indigestion, restoration of function, and nerve-building, form the prin- cipal features of remedial agencies. Will power must be systematically cultivated, and moral support be given to the patient. Massage, elec- tricity, diet, baths, and sometimes a rest cure, are efficacious. See Insanity; Hypnotism; I'F.MPEKAMENT. Consult : Janet, Etat mental
