Chapter I: IT is a Muliebrian Disease, and that only familiar to some of the

more _delicate Women_: When therefore we know, from the PATIENT herself, or from those about her, that she is obnoxious to this _Affection_; the HYSTERIC _Symptoms_ also appearing, we need not suspect any other Distemper. II. _Hysterical Women_ complain frequently of their WOMBS being ill-disposed, and out of order. As, III. _They_ are most commonly helped and freed from the PAROXYSM, by holding _Fœtids_ to the NOSE, and _Suaveolents_ to the PUDENDUM; which holds good in no other _Affection_. But more particularly——

THIS _Distemper_ differs from a SYNCOPE, in that, a SYNCOPE is _precipitant_, and seizes the PATIENT all at once, tho’ ’tis but of short _Duration_; Whereas in _this_, some evident SIGNS of an approaching _Paroxysm_ always precede, and the Evil continues sometimes for several Hours and perhaps Days: In _that_, the PULSE is quickly abolish’d, or at least seemingly _ceases_; in _this_, it remains, however _small_, except in the aforementioned extreme FIT: In _that_ of a SYNCOPE, _cold Sweats_ appear, and the _Countenance_ changes _pale_; and when the HEART is severely affected, it may be probably conjoin’d with the HYSTERICK _Affection_.

NOW _This Distemper_ differs also from an EPILEPSY: For in _That_ the _Convulsive Motions_ are not always join’d with it, or if they be, they are not so _universal_, affecting only _one_ or _other Member_: In EPILEPTICKS, the PULSE is greater than ordinary; but in HYSTERICKS, it is the _Reverse_: In _that_ the PATIENT _foams at the Mouth_, and loses the principal _Functions_ of Life, especially the _Memory_; in _this_ they _foam not_, neither commonly lose any _internal Sense_; but only awake like _those_ who have been asleep.

THIS _Affection_ differs again from the APOPLEXY, in that the PARTS are not so much _affected_, nor their feeling so much abolished; in _that_ there is no continual _Snoaring_, and the PULSE is only diminished and depraved, which in APOPLECTICS most commonly remains entire: In short, the _one_ is preceded, as well as accompany’d with diverse _Symptoms_; whereas the _other_ assails the PATIENT suddenly, without any previous Notice or _Signification_.

AGAIN the HYSTERICKS differ from a LETHARGY; in that _This_ is attended with a FEVER; _That_ not at all: In _This_ the PULSE is raised higher and is stronger; in _That_ it falls always lower, and is weaker.

MOREOVER, there are diverse _Experiments_, mentioned by _Authors_, to distinguish a PATIENT in the extreme FIT of this _Passion_, from a Person actually DEAD: Such as _Lint_, _Feathers_, or _burnt Paper_ being held to the MOUTH; if moved, the PATIENT _breathes_. A _Glass of Water_ being set upon the BREAST; if stirred, there is some _Motion_ and _Dilatation_ still in the BREAST. Or, in fine, a _Looking-Glass_ well wiped, being held to their MOUTHS, if infected, the PATIENT is still and certainly _alive_.

HOWEVER, all _These Things_, I look upon to be merely _trifling_ and _uncertain_ in this Case; because, supposing the WOMAN _not to breathe_, as has been hinted; How then can she _expire_ so much from her LUNGS, as to _move a Feather_, or _infect a Glass_? Or, how can her BREAST have any such a _Motion_, as to move _Water in a Glass_? Considering well, what has been already said, that it is only by _internal Transpiration_, that she draws the _Breath of Life_; which is neither effected by the _Motion_ of the BREAST, nor the LUNGS; but rather by a certain obscure and latent _Motion_ of the HEART, and the internal _Arteries_: In such manner, as some _Animals_, living in _Cells of Obscurity_, seem to be refrigerated, or benumb’d and DEAD the whole _Winter-Season_.

BUT in this _Case_, the more _certain Method_ is, to try the PATIENT with proper _Sternutatories_, such as are otherways useful in all such PAROXYSMS, for if _alive_, she will be quickly mov’d by _Sternutation_: As when the _Body_ begins to send forth a _Cadaverous Smell_, it is a certain SIGN that the _innate Heat_ is extinct with the LIFE, and that the _Body_ is no more supported by the SOUL. Wherefore the safest and surest way is, not to _bury_ such PERSONS, before the _Expiration of 72 Hours_, reckoning from the beginning of the FIT: Because, if in this Time, which is the CRISIS, or _Term_ of the _Circuit_ of all the HUMOURS in the Body, they do not _revive_, there is no more Room left for _Hopes_.

IN the next place, I come to mark the DIAGNOSTICKS, whereby it may be best distinguished, which of the before-mentioned _immediate Causes_, gives _Rise_ to the _HYSTERICK PASSION_ in any _Woman_ labouring under the same _Malady_. And, I. IF it proceeds from the _Menstruous Blood_, in this _Condition_, the _Natural Course_ must needs be suppress’d, either in whole or in part: And the Difference of the _Quality_ of this _BLOOD_, is evident from the foregoing _Symptoms_.