CATALEPSY (katalepsis, a taking possession of), a state of more or less complete insensibility, with absence of the power of voluntary motion, and statue-like fixedness of the body and limbs in the attitude immediately preceding the attack, a like position being also retained, unless altered by force, until the return of consciousness. Such is the abridged description of C., as commonly given in works of authority. The patient is usually in good health at the time of seizure, or subject only to nervous affections, such as hysteria (q.v.); sometimes the attack is preceded by disappointment, fear, violent exciting or depressing passions, or even religious emotions, being in such cases only an extreme form of what Is otherwise called trance, reverie, or ecstasy (q.v.); on other occa sions, the apparent cause is more purely physical, as in some of the hysterical cases, depending on suppressed menvrnation. In all eases Of cataleptic rigidity and insensi bility, it may be presumed that the brain, as the organ of consciousness, is disturbed; but it does not appear that in any considerable proportion there is structural disease. Patients rarely die during the attack, which may, however, be protracted for an indefi nite period, and may even endanger life indirectly by the debility consequent on imper fect nourishment. The circulation and respiration are, in most instances, little affected; cases, however, have been recorded in which, in consequence of their failure, the patient has been supposed to be dead. See DEATH. Many of the recorded cases of C. are little
worthy of credit, and it has even been doubted whether this curious disease can ever be said to exist exempt from some degree of deception, or at least voluntary and conscious regulation of the muscles on the part of the person affected. The combination of C. with hysteria, and its frequent association with what arc called the higher phenomena of mesmerism (see ANIMAL MAGNETISM), are undoubtedly circumstances of great suspicion; but it would certainly be wrong to suppose that all the cases described were fictitious, and not less so to classify them all under the head of pure imposture. Epidemic C. has been described, and in such cases it would appear plain that the principle of imitation, so powerful in nervous disease, must have been at work. The remedies of C. are the same as those of the states to which it is sonearly allied, and of which it may be said to form a part. Moral means form a large Mart the treatment, as in hysteria. In some cases, it may become necessary to adminster food by means of the stomach pump, and this even for weeks or months. We have seen such a case end in complete recovery.