HYSTERIA (Lat., from (1k. itcrrIpa, hystera, womb; connected with Lat. uterus, womb, Skt. wlara, 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 the 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 arc erroneous; for hysteria is frequently found among males, and is a disease of very serious nature, involving not only the brain and spinal curd. but also the peripheral nerves and the sympathetic system. While comparatively rare among Anglo-Saxons, it is said to he wide spread among Latin nations and Scandinavians, being especially frequent among the French. Hysteria arises from predisposing causes of an hereditary nature. such as parental alcoholism, epilepsy. insanity, or hysteria, as well as in judicious training or education in youth, with depressing influences. as of surrounding's. 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 ay 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, reasons of convenience rather than for scien reasons. as follows: (I) The form of the disease in which the patient is excitable, 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. ft?) 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 milled hysteria minor. The patient may suddenly sink to the floor, become partly unconscious and rigid, and, either turning pale or remaining rosy, may breathe violently for a few minutes. and
then recover perfect consciousness. Or the pa tient may sink to the floor after experiencing a sharp 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 awns and legs about, and assum big various rigid positions, occasionally bending the head forward, doubling up the body, clench ing the fists, 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 uneonseious, 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 her, 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 15 to 50 minutes. If these attacks are frequently repeated. the patient's strength is rapidly undermined. and she may be confined to her bed. The form of hysteria with convulsive seizures is often called hystcro-•pi!cpsy (q.v.)—an unfortunate and mis leading term, which should not be used. It really means a combination of hysteria and epilepsy in the saute person, which is possible, but rare.