Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: On masturbation and hysteria in young children. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library at Yale University.
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![anatomic lesion, but a change in the hemostatic and nutritive conditions. In point of fact, neuroses of the vaso-motor nerves are frequent in the j'oung. It is but just that it should be so ; for the physiological and pathological action of the sympa- thetic nervous system ought to go hand in hand with their early development. In embryonic life, the cells of the sympa- thetic nervous system develop prior to those of the cerebro- sjDinal system. Those enclosed in the nerve centres are earlier than those in the outlying organs. Those in the spinal cord precede those in the cerebrum. Those in the anterior horns are earlier than those in the other parts of the cord. In other words, the centres for circulation (and motion) pre- cede the development of other centres. Let us add to these statements the fact that the nervous system is heavier, more extensive in proportion to the weight of the whole body, and the physiological necessit}^ of greater irritabilit}' and nervous vulnerability in the young requires no further illustra- tion. Mary L. M. was 10^ years old in February, 1874, when her mother wrote as folloM's : She began complaining some thi-ee or four years ago of stomach-ache, which at iirst we treated with home remedies, thinking it of little importance. When the pain increased, so as to turtnre .her constantly. Dr. M. treated her a long time, but without success; and, at his advice, Dr. C. used electricity (electro-magnetism), very successfully. For about six or eight months she was quite well. Then the old difficulty returned, in the form of nausea, from which she has suffered almost constantly for a year and a half at least. Dur- ing this time various remedies were used; she was removed from school, her diet and bowels were carefully watched. During the summer months, (1S72) she was always in the coun- try ; and, last winter, (1S72-1S73), she was also sent off for a change. Electricity was again used, then galvanism, but un- successfully. In the middle of August, (1S73) while in the country, she was taken with typhoid fever. During the fever she had no nausea; Ijut as she convalesced it returned. Still, after some time, say for two or thi'ee Aveeks, she was apparently well. She was out again in mild weather during December, (1873) and January, (]87i), taking exercise on a velocipede. Some over-fatigue caused its return, and some ten days ago she](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b2101890x_0026.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
