may be described as an extreme sensibility of the nervous system, usually attended with symptoms of dyspepsia, as flatulence, eructation, a sense of uneasiness in the region of the stomach, and hypochondria, and almost always with lowness of spirits, which makes the patient believe himself to be much worse than he really is. The morbid feelings of the hypochondriae are real, depending on physical disturbances of the system; but the nervous apprehension of the patient causes him to dwell on them, and magnify them into undue importance. Attention to diet and exercise is the most important part of the treatment of hypochondriasis, together with withdrawal from those studies, pursuits, or habits, which appear to have led to the formation and development of the disease. Occasional gentle laxatives and tonics may also be required, but these should only be taken under medical advice.

HYSTERIA, from ἕστραξις, the womb, though commonly applied to those violent fits which attack women, and which are attended with convulsions, a sense of choking, and involuntary laughing and crying, is strictly applicable to a large proportion of those chronic, so-called nervous, disorders to which females are subject. Of these the fit or convulsion is but the occasional and prominent symptom. The fit itself is usually preceded by a general uneasiness and feeling of oppression, a tight sensation about the throat, headache, cramps, and the sensation of a ball rising from the stomach. HYPOTAXIS, to the throat (globus hystericus). A temporary loss of sense and consciousness, with general convulsions, screaming, tearing the hair, beating the breast, or otherwise attempting to injure the person, follows this, and the paroxysm passes off in a fit of laughter, or alternate laughter and crying, or a flood of tears. It is of great consequence to distinguish this disease from epilepsy, with which it may be confounded. In epilepsy there is no premonitory symptom, as a sensation of hall rising to the throat; a sharp cry or shriek always immediately precedes the convulsions, and on the convulsions passing off the patient falls into a deep sleep of shorter or longer duration. Uterine and gastro-intestinal irritation or irregularity are the principal causes of hysterical affections. They are consequently almost alone met with in females; but one or two well authenticated cases have been seen in males of highly susceptible nervous temperament. During the fit the attendants should take care that the patient does not injure herself, but further than this they should exert no restraint upon the person. To prevent her injuring herself with her teeth, several folds of a towel or napkin may be put between the jaws. If there be much determination of blood to the head, the applying cold wetted cloths to the head, and sprinkling cold water on the face and throat, are recommended as useful; and in slighter cases, cold water sprinkled over the face, and applying smelling-salts to the nose, are thought to shorten the fit.

Between the paroxysms means should be used to remove the cause of the disorder; and tonics, particularly preparations of iron and quinine, regulation of the bowels and the secretions, and attention to diet and exercise, are the measures most likely to restore health when the complaint, as it usually is, is attended with various degrees of debility. Assafetida, valerian, ammonia, and other antispasmodics are also useful in preventing the recurrence of the convulsions.