Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.
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femur was about throe inches shorter than the other, and the leg on that side, from the under edge of the patella to the heel, was four inches shorter than its fellow, showing that the limb had not grown in proportion with the general development of this otherwise beautiful girl. Besides, the limb below the knee was atrophied, cold, and lifeless, while the thigh muscles were remarkably well developed, and the hip muscles were drawn together, tilting the pelvis, and largely projecting the whole hip. By any experienced and skilful eye this would be at once recog- nized as mainly a " hysteric-hip joint." There was no sign of local disease in progress, beyond a general swelling or enlargement of the whole hip. Pain — pain, not the concomitant of inflamma- tion or idceration, but pain per se — seems here to constitute the disease. These cases are said to possess, in one sense, a quality of wrercality ; but it is not to be for one moment supposed that all these patients willingly deceive their medical attendant and best friends, nor that the pain complained of so long and inces- santly has no real existence. If so, why does she not complain when pressure is made gradually but firmly from the foot towards the pelvis, which would be likely to give pain in almost every other hip joint or pelvis malady ? * In fact, or effect, this disease may be originally produced by the peculiar circumstances and conditions of woman's life ; but I believe it soon becomes a disease of habit, or a true neurosis, and now more or less independent of uterine action or inaction ; but is rather become the peculiar contingency of the uncon- trolled emotional feelings and morbid imaginations of the patient. Dr. Barwell says great harm is done by prescribing the indiscriminate and long use of steel, ethers, aloes, &c, for these patients. If this view be correct, the treatment should be general as well as local, and directed to the cerebral condition that produces this manifestation of pain, and to that faculty of Will, that sways the disease by its own or the emotional state. To control the emotions and will, is to cure the disease. Hence a plain, coarse, and low diet, with plenty of regular exercise for both body and mind, will be best calculated to break up this morbid habit and state. Let the patient have mainly plain, light, crusty * See Dr. Walter Channing's work on the " Bed Case."