Hysteria : the history of a disease / by Ilza Veith.

  • Ilza Veith
Date:
1970, ©1965
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Hysteria : the history of a disease / by Ilza Veith. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    108/128 (page 102)
    I opened the hand without the smallest effort, and applied a well padded splint to the front of the forearm, extending to the extremity of the fingers. The splint was retained for some weeks, and occasionally removed for a time and replaced. The muscles recovered their healthy tone, and the hand its functions, with the exception of the little fin- ger, the movement of which still continues, after an interval of three years, in some measure restricted. A young lady, aged i8, of nervous and susceptible tem- perament, was brought to me by her mother with an affec- tion of the left elbow-joint. The joint was fixed in half- flexion and was supported by a well made leather splint, and had been carefully bound with straps and rollers. I learned that she had sustained no local injury to the arm, but that it had been treated for some weeks for inflammation of the elbow joint ; but as the disease did not yield to the treatment, I was consulted. Further inquiry into the his- tory of the case led me to the belief that the affection was of a hysteric nature. I removed the splint, not without some expression of alarm on the part of the mother as to the consequences. The joint itself was neither swollen, hot, nor painful, but any attempt to straighten or move it caused great pain. I explained my views of the disease to the young lady's mother, and recommended a certain course of treatment, which the lady, somewhat, as I thought, against her own judgment and inclination, promised to follow j and I was brought into communication with the medical atten- dant of the family in the country, to whom I explained my views, and to whose judicious charge I consigned her. Up to this time, and beyond it, I believe my opinions were