Electro-physiology and electro-therapeutics : showing the best methods for the medical uses of electricity / By Alfred C. Garratt.

Hysterical Paralysis. A true hysterical paralysis is seldom seen without other marked symptoms of hysteria, either present or past, as globus, cramps, pains, or some uterine disturbance; but in other re- spects, this paralysis very nearly resembles those cases that are caused by disease of the brain or spinal cord, or those of rheu- matic palsy. This affection is more usually found to involve the muscles of the arm and leg on the same side ; if both, then it is termed hysterical hemiplegia. If it be seated in the recti mus- cles of the thighs, or other muscles of the legs, (for it is more likely to attack but one limb,) then it is called hysterical para- plegia. If it be local, and affecting only a single muscle or muscle group, then it is termed local hysterical palsy. If it be local in a joint, then it is termed an hysterical joint. But iu this kind of paralysis there is no sort of disease of the motor nerves, nor yet of the nervous centres. It may gradually appear, or it may attack suddenly, as from fright, great excitement, intense anxiety, or profound grief. According to Dr. Duchenne, we should find the test of elec- tro-muscular contractility in all cases of hysterical palsy, at the normal state, i. e., as in health ; but that the " muscular con- sciousness " is nearly or entirely gone. Now, this is not foxind to be true in the great majority of cases of some standing, who apply for treatments, while it is quite true of some of the more recent cases. The greater number of cases who call for aid are of long standing, and these, certainly, show a marked diminu- tion of susceptibility to the electro-muscular contractions. And another thing I can say, speaking from experience, and that is, that nearly every case of hysterical paralysis, no matter how bad or how old the case, can be cured by well-directed electro- therapeutics, aided by any other needed rational medication and regimen. I know it is true that some cases of " hysterical palsy " and " hysterical joints " are little more than mere fantasy, and are kept up in a great measure, as Dr. Rowland says, "by the 48*