Part 32

CHAP. II. _Of the_ HYSTERICK PASSION.

WELL might the excellent _Democritus_ write to his _Scholar_, the far more excelling _Hippocrates_, that the WOMB is the _Source of Six Hundred Griefs_, and the _Spring of innumerable Sorrows to the_ WOMAN: Because of the manifest _Sympathy_ or _Affinity_, which the WOMB has with almost all the other _Parts_ of the Body. And as we may reasonably conclude from such an _Affinity_, that these _Symptoms_ must needs be both _Numerous_ and _Different_ in Kind; so I think, for the same Reason, they may be _All_ pertinently comprehended under the _General Title_ of _Hysterick Maladies_.

BUT before we enter upon the Particulars of these _Uterine Affections_, it may be first requisite to make out the _Reality_ of this _Affinity_ or _Consent_; which will be no difficult Matter, when we consider FIRST, the _three Principles_, in which the same consists, _viz._ in a _Similitude of Parts_; in a _Vicinity of Parts_; and in a _Connexion of Vessels_. SECONDLY, how by _these_, as the WOMB is a _Membranous Substance_, it has a Substantial _Affinity_ with the MEMBRANES: And by its _Vicinity_, with the BLADDER, RECTUM, and INTESTINES; As by its _Veins_, _Arteries_, and _Nerves_, it has with almost all the other _Parts_ of the Body; such as with the BRAIN, by _Veins_ and _Arteries_, as well as by the NERVES and _Spinal_ MEMBRANES; with the HEART, by _Arteries_; with the LIVER, by _Veins_; with the STOMACH, by certain _Anastomoses_, betwixt the _Veins_ of the WOMB, and those of the _Mesentery_, as well as by _Arteries_; with the SPLEEN by _Arteries_; with the BREASTS, partly by _Veins_,[230] and partly by _Nerves_, &c.

HENCE it is that I can scarce find any _Part_ of the Body, which may not be affected by the _Indispositions_ of the WOMB; the _Heart_, the _Diaphragm_, the _Head_, the _Brain_, and consequently all the _Organs_ of Sense and Motion, the _Liver_, the _Spleen_, the _Ventricle_, the _Mesentery_, the _Belly_, the _Bladder_, the _Rectum_, the _Back_, the _Loins_, the _Thighs_, the _Legs_, the _Arms_, &c. All which _Parts_ are from thence subject to innumerable various _Symptoms_, which commonly come and go by _Periods_, after the manner of _Convulsive_, or _Epileptick_ FITS, to which the HYSTERICAL have also a very near Relation; in that the _Circulation_ and _Recourse_ of all the _Three_, and some more such, _Distempers_ agree exactly, sometimes with the _Course_ of the MOON, and SUN, and sometimes with the very _Motion_ of the SEA; and as _these_ vary, so the FITS of either _Affection_ come on quicker or slower[231].

THESE Things are also most Judiciously made out by the excellent Dr. _Mead_, saying, that, _the New and Full-Moon being of equal Power, this sort of Distempers sometimes reign in the one, and sometimes in the other, as the Body happens to be more or less fitted and adapted to receive the_ INFLUENCE; _and as the abounding_ HUMOURS _are more fitted for this_, _than that period of the_ PLANET[232]. And the same _Author_ of great Experience, gives us an Account of a certain BOY of a Year old, who every _Flood-Tide_, was taken with _Convulsive_ FITS, and every _Ebb_ came to himself again[233]. Which _Influence_ of the SEA, no doubt depends upon the MOON’s approaching our _Vertical Point_, or _that_ directly opposite, as the _Flood_ encreases and comes to its _Height_, Moreover again,——

CONSIDERING the WOMB, not only as the _Center_, in which the vitious _Humours_ are accumulated from all the other _Parts_, but also as the PUMP of the _Body_, we may readily conclude that as long as it regularly ejects the _Menstruous Blood_, it does at the same time duly evacuate together with it, all those _Humours_ of whatsoever sort they be: Whereas we may easily conceive that whatever obstructs or impedes the WOMB in any of its natural _Functions_, may occasion various _Symptoms_ to the _Woman_: However the most of _these_, as well as the most dangerous, take their _Origin_ from the _Retention_ of the SEED and the _suppression_ of the MENSTRUA.

THE _Menstruous Blood_ flowing in a natural Course to the _Uterine Veins_, when its _Passage_ is so obstructed, that it cannot break forth; whether in VIRGINS, because of the _Astriction_ of the ORIFICES; or in WIDOWS, because of the _Thickness_ of the BLOOD, or of any other gross viscid _Humour_; in these _Cases_, it must of course regorge thro’ the _Branches_ of the VENA CAVA and the great ARTERY, to the _Head_, _Heart_, _Liver_, and _Veins_ of the _Midriff_; whence of Consequence proceed various _Symptoms_ in all these and their dependent _Parts_: Which notwithstanding, I take the too long retain’d SEED to occasion the more dangerous and severe _Symptoms_ to the WOMAN.

BUT in _Case_ of either of _These_, namely, either the _Seminal_, or the _Menstruous Matter_, beginning to corrupt, and consequently to acquire malignant _Qualities_, then they produce divers most severe and dreadfull _Symptoms_; and _that_ not only in different PATIENTS, but also sometimes in _one_ and the _same Woman_; and not only at _different Times_, but also sometimes at _one_ and the _same Time_: However these Things always happen, according to the different _Quantity_ and _Quality_ of the corrupted HUMOURS, as well as according to the _Constitution_ of the WOMB, in which the _Corruption_ succeeds. Again more particularly——

IF the Malignant _Vapours_ arising hence, penetrate to the _Heart_, (the principal _Organ_ of LIFE, as well as of the _Circulation_ of the BLOOD) I would observe, that, they occasion vellicating _Palpitations_, as also a _Dejection of Spirits_, and _Anxiety of Mind_, attended with frequent LYPOTHYMIES and SYNCOPES: If to the _Diaphragm_ and _Lungs_, a _Difficulty_ of BREATHING, attended (as it were) with _Suffocations_ or _Strangulations_.

IF the MATTER ascends to the HEAD, and diffuse it self thro’ the _external Parts_, diverse grievous PAINS assail the _Woman_, and _that_ very differently; insomuch, that, sometimes the _whole_ HEAD is (as it were) tortured, and sometimes but in _Part_; sometimes on the _right_, and sometimes on the _left Side_; sometimes in the _hind Part_ of the HEAD, or CROWN, and sometimes in the _Fore-Head_ or about the _Eyes_: Whereas if it tend to the BRAIN, and distribute it self among the ORGANS of _Sense_ and _Motion_, both the internal and external _Senses_ must needs suffer accordingly; upon which the poor PATIENT is not only taken with an APHONIA for _Want of Speech_, but also with a Helpless or Senseless Stupidity; and moreover, not only seiz’d with a _Resolution_ or _Debility_ of HANDS and FEET, but also with _Trembling_ and _Convulsive Fits_.

IF the _same_ ascends to the LIVER, the whole _Habit_ or _Constitution_ of the BODY is perverted: For as the _vitious Humours_ are easily communicated from the WOMB by the _Veins_ to the LIVER, so the affected LIVER again readily diffuses its _Infection_ by the _Veins_ to the whole BODY. If to the SPLEEN and MESENTERY, _Murmurings_, _Pains_ and _Torments_ arise in the BELLY; which are commonly attended with a _Pain_ in the left SIDE and left BREAST, extending it self to the JUGULUM, or fore-part of the NECK, Difficulty of _Breathing_, frequent _Belchings_, a siccid bound _Belly_, and all the other _Symptoms_ which usually are the _Concomitants_ of the _Hypocondriack Affection_.

IF to the VENTRICLE, thence proceed _Fastidy_, _Pica_, _Vomitings_, _Pains_ and _Gnawings_ of the STOMACH, _Sobbings_, _Yawnings_, _Belchings_, &c. But, and if the said MATTER distributes it self thro’ the whole _Circuit_ of the BODY, then the PATIENT is frequently seiz’d, sometimes with a sudden _red_, and sometimes with a _pale Colour_; as also sometimes with a _sudden Heat_, and _Ardour_ in her FACE, which she commonly perceives or feels to vanish and go off as suddenly: Again she is sometimes also taken with _sudden Cold_, and sometimes with as _sudden hot Fits_.

FROM all which, it evidently appears, how justly _Galen_ says[234], that the _Hysterick Passion_ (under one Appellation) comprehends innumerable various SYMPTOMS: Even so _many_, that at least (I think) they cannot be possibly comprehended in this _Volume_, which extorts another _Apology_ from me in this Place; namely and plainly, that as I have no Ambition to be accounted any extraordinary PERSON of great _Learning_ or _Reading_; so I far less desire to set up or give my self out for ONE of _Universal Practice_ or _Experience_: And as at the _Beginning_, I only design’d this BOOK for the immediate _Service_ of MIDWIVES, and the common Good of _WOMEN_ and their _CHILDREN_, the _Poor_, I mean in general, as well as the _Rich_; So I am yet resolv’d, rather, to stifle or restrain my _Inclinations_ for the present time, and suppress what might be otherways pertinently added on these _Subjects_, than to put it out of the reach of the _Purchase_ of either of _THOSE_. I say, for these reasons, I shall not undertake at this time to enter upon every particular _Head_ or _Branch_ of the _HYSTERICKS_; only that I may not be censur’d as _Churlish_ or _Peevish_ to the more delicate _LADIES_, and tenderly constituted _Women_, who always labour and suffer most under these _Distempers_, I shall however yet endeavour to discuss particularly the most _dangerous_, as well as the most _common Case_, belonging to this general TOPICK; and not only so, but, according to my _Ability_, I shall also endeavour in _it_, if possible in a few words, to include and comprehend all the rest of these _Female Indispositions_: And _that_ to the _Purpose_, and under the _Title_, following, _viz._——

CHAP. III. _Of the Strangulation of the_ WOMB.

THE preceding _Chapter_ contains a general Account of the sundry various _Hysterick Passions_, together with their respective SYMPTOMS, as they affect the chief and Principal _Parts_ of the BODY; whence I might descend to a great _Variety_ of _particulars_; but as neither my present _Time_ nor _Design_ will permit my entring upon _These_ in this place, I shall content my self with treating of _This_ _ONE_; which as it is the chief and most dangerous of all the _Uterine Affections_, so ’tis the most _Universal_ and _Common_.

IT comprehends, in short, many various severe, and even wonderful SYMPTOMS in it self; whence I conclude, that, he who sufficiently understands the _present Case_ or _Condition_, may easily comprehend all the other Circumstances, belonging to the foregoing _general Head_; Since with whatever difference of _Symptoms_, or _Diagnostick Signs_, they may appear, the _Causes_ and _Effects_ are originally of the same _Nature_: For _This_ is the very _Affection_ which _Galen_[235] call’d the ωνὶξ ὑσεικὴ, that is, the _Hysterick Passion_, and he might as well have said the _grand Hysterick Passion_: The _Latins_ call it _Strangulatio_, or _Suffocatio_, or _Præfocatio Uterina_; because in the FIT, the _Woman_ seems to be _Suffocated_ or _Strangled_ by the WOMB. But to the Purpose,——

HOWEVER variously and copiously the Ancients have defin’d this EVIL, I think the few following Words, may properly explain it, _viz._ _This Suffocation is a Distemper of all the Natural, Vital, and Animal Actions, proceeding many different ways, from an ill or disaffected_ WOMB.

I say many _different ways_, according to the many _different Sorts_ of the _AFFECTION_; because _One_ is, when the SYMPTOMS of the _læs’d Natural Faculty_ only appear; in which the _PATIENT_ labours under _Inflations_, and frequent _Rumblings_ of the _BELLY_, _Murmurings_, _Belchings_, _Pains_ of the STOMACH, _Anxiety_, _Uneasiness_, and sometimes _Vomitings_. _Another_ different _AFFECTION_ is, when the _vital Faculty_ is læs’d or indisposed, in which the _PATIENT_ is not only taken with _Heart-Beatings_, but also with _Faintings_ and _Swooning-Fits_, with a small, frequent, and unequal _PULSE_. A _Third_ is when the _Animal Faculty_ is læs’d or disaffected, which may happen many ways; and in this _Condition_ the WOMAN is depriv’d of _Motion_ and all _external Sense_, however she retains the principal _Functions_, together with her _PULSE_ and _BREATH_.

AGAIN, farther yet, there is _another Sort_ of this _Hysterick AFFECTION_, in which the _Motion_ is deprav’d, turning to various CONVULSIONS of the _Legs_, _Arms_, _Teeth_, _Lips_, _Eyes_, and so of the whole Body. As also moreover, there is still _ONE_, or a _Fifth_ different _Sort_ of this SUFFOCATION, in which all the _Faculties of Life_ are seemingly abolished; so far, that (according to common Sense and Apprehension) the _PATIENT_ differs in Nothing from a _dead Person_. Hence it has often happen’d, that such _Women_ (upon a mistake) have been imprudently _buried_ (for _DEAD_,) and sometimes had the good Fortune to return from their _Graves_ to their _Houses_ again; whereof many learned _Authors_ give us remarkable _Instances_[236].

BUT if it should be ask’d, in short, how it is possible for the WOMAN to _live_, after she has lost both her _PULSE_ and her _BREATH_? I can only refer the Curious to _Galen_, who has fully answer’d that _Question_[237] (according also to the Sentiment of _Heraclydes_) _viz._——_That tho’ the Refrigeration of the whole Body, and its principal Parts, is so great as to intercept both the Pulse and the Breath; Yet the Woman, no less than other Animals, such as Snails and others of that kind, which live in strict obscurity, may have Transpiration sufficient, thro’ the whole Circuit of the Body, to defend LIFE_[238].

IF so, then, that there are so many different _Sorts_ of _UTERINE STRANGULATIONS_, there must also (of Consequence) be as many peculiar _Causes_: Which, tho’ all take _Origin_ from the WOMB, yet do not arise to this Pitch, unless _two other Causes_ concur with it. Viz. _ONE_ from the _Part affected_; _ANOTHER_ from the _Passages_, thro’ which the WOMB communicates this _AFFECTION_ to it. But in short, the _principal immediate Causes_ are _THREE_[239] viz. _retain’d Menstruous Blood_, _vitiated Seed_, _and putrid Humours_, or _corrupted Matter_, contain’d in any part of the WOMB; which immediate, and concurring _Causes_, I come now to Speak to, _viz._——

AS to the FIRST then, I think the _retain’d BLOOD_, is not sufficient of it self to induce this _AFFECTION_, because we know, many to be free from it, who yet labour under the _suppress’d MENSTRUA_; wherefore the _Imbecillity_ of the _Principal Parts_ admitting the HUMOURS, must concur with the _Latitude_ of the _Passages_, thro’ which the BLOOD is communicated to them: Which _Three_ conspiring together, the SUFFOCATION of course succeeds with Aggravation.

IF this BLOOD flows thro’ the _Veins_ and _Arteries_, into the _HEART_, it occasions a _SYNCOPE_, which is a most severe _Affection_.

IF it ascends into the BRAIN, it occasions various _Symptoms_ according to the _Quality_ of the BLOOD, _viz._——If it is _Pituitous_, it induces a SUFFOCATION with _SLEEP_, resembling a _LETHARGY_: If it be _Bilious_, the _AFFECTION_ is most furious, and the _PATIENT_ is (as it were) almost _Mad_, tearing her self, pulling her _Hair_, renting her _Cloaths_, _&c._ If the BLOOD be _sweet_, she only fancies AMOURS, and meditates upon _pleasing_ CHIMERAS: As, in fine, if _Melancholick_, it seizes her with a _Sadness_ of HEART, and _Dejection_ of MIND.

BUT as to the SECOND _Cause_, the _retain’d_ SEED induces not only _These_, but more grievous _Symptoms_, since as soon as it is _corrupted_ and _refrigerated_, it becomes the worst of POYSON[240]: And as it reaches the principal debilitated _Parts_, it draws on the most dangerous _sort_ of SUFFOCATIONS; in which the PATIENT _lies for Dead_, the whole BODY being extremely refrigerated, or benumb’d by this _venenated Matter_. Which Accident however may happen promiscuously to _all Women_, abounding with such _morbifick Contents_ in the WOMB, as sometimes falls out to MAIDS, but more commonly to WIDOWS, whose _Bodies_ as well as WOMBS abound with _pituitous_ HUMOURS; as also sometimes to _Pregnant Women_ of _Cacochymical Habits_, and to _Puerperial Women_ not _cleansing_ sufficiently.

I know by the way, that some modern _Writers_ define the _Case_ otherways, and will have MEN to be also lyable to the same _Distemper_, which they alledge proceeds chiefly from the _Blood_ and _Spirits_: But the _Reason_ why I think _they_ are exempted from it, at least from its _Severities_, is because, what they _lose_ in _Nocturnal Pollutions_ or otherways, is always ejected or thrown _without Doors_; whereas what the _other_ SEX so _emitts_, may be still retain’d _within_; and consequently by a long _Detention_ there, may be converted into VENOM, or a _Poysonous Humour_.

HOWEVER, this happens more readily and frequently to WIDOWS, than to VIRGINS, because in the _one_, the Passages are not only dilated, but also Nature is accustomed to such _Emissions_, as the _other_ is yet wholly a Stranger to. Moreover——

AGAIN, this AFFECTION may also proceed from too great an _abundance_ of _SEED_ in those, call’d the _Seminal Vessels_; tho’ not to such a dangerous Degree: In which _Case_, if the _SEED_ be _Acrimonious_, a _Convulsion_ may happen; if otherways, the PATIENT seems only to faint and fall away, with a sort of a grateful _Indulgence_, without any great Change of _Countenance_, or Alteration of PULSE; tho’ she often continues with her _Eyes_ shut, Starting and Wakening (as it were) frequently: And as upon returning to herself, she falls _a-sighing_, so a little after, the SYMPTOM recurs again.

FINALLY, as to the _third Cause_, Supposing this AFFECTION to seize _Women_, who not only Purge regularly, but are also satiated with _Virile Conversation_; or, as it sometimes happens, to take _Old Women_: In these _Cases_, the _Cause_ is undoubtedly very different from those mentioned, and proceeds either from _Winds_, _Vapours_, or putrid and corrupted _Humours_, contain’d in the WOMB, and communicated by various _Passages_, to the HEART and BRAIN: And this _Corruption_ may readily succeed in the WOMB, because, as _it_ is a part very different from any other of the BODY, endued with peculiar _Faculties_, so if it be not well disposed, the vitious _Humours_ may also corrupt in it, after a peculiar manner; if not in its own _Cavity_, in the _Uterine Vessels_, as most frequently happens.

UPON which, I observe that, if these _Winds_ or _Vapours_ are communicated to the HEART, thro’ the _Veins_ and _Arteries_, the SUFFOCATION happens with _Palpitation_: If to the BRAIN, with a _Vertigo_, a _Tingling of the Ears_, and a _Suffusion_ from the _Phantasms of the Eyes_: Whereas, if the deprav’d _Humours_ or _Vapours_, ascend there, thro’ the _Nerves_, various _Convulsions_ happen; especially if the BRAIN abounds also with _frigid Humours_. And _these_, in short, according to the foresaid _Authorities_, are all the Proximous and _immediate Causes_ of the HYSTERICK PASSION.

HENCE I come now to touch upon the _mediate Causes_ of the same _Distemper_, which may be easily conceiv’d by any who understands _those_ of the _suppressed_ MENSTRUA, GONORRHÆA, _&c._ which _Cases_ I can by no means enter upon at this Time, for the reasons mentioned in the last preceding _Chapter_.

BUT from what is said (I hope) this _Uterine_ STRANGULATION, together with all its Differences, may be easily distinguished by the ingenious _Reader_. However yet, because all its _different Sorts_ have some degree of _Affinity_, with other diverse _Symptoms_, which no ways proceed from the WOMB; I come now to propose some SIGNS of _Distinction_, first in _general_, and next in _particular_, viz.——

THE _general_ SIGNS then are _Three_, by which I think, the HYSTERICK may be readily distinguished from all other _Affections_, namely,——

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_.