Catalepsy

Catalepsy (katalēpsis, 'a taking possession of'), a state of more or less complete insensibility, with absence of the power of voluntary motion, and statue-like fixedness of the body and limbs in the attitude immediately preceding the attack, or in any position in which they may be placed by another person, for a considerable period, often until the return of consciousness. The attack may last only a few minutes, or any longer period. Such is the abridged description of catalepsy, as commonly given in works of authority. The patient is usually in good health at the time of seizure, or subject only to nervous affections, such as Hysteria (q.v.); sometimes the attack is preceded by disappointment, fear, violent exciting or depressing passions, or even religious emotions, being in such cases only an extreme form of what is otherwise called Trance, Reverie, or Ecstasy (q.v.); on other occasions, the apparent cause is more purely physical, as in some of the hysterical cases. In all cases of cataleptic rigidity with insensibility, it may be presumed that the brain, as the organ of consciousness, is disturbed; but it does not appear that in any considerable proportion there is structural disease. Patients rarely die during the attack, which may, however, be protracted for an indefinite period, and may even endanger life indirectly by the debility consequent on imperfect nourishment. The circulation and respiration are, in most instances, little affected; cases, however, have been recorded in which, in consequence of their failure, the patient has been supposed to be dead (see DEATH). Cases also occur in which the same cataleptic rigidity of the muscles is present without any interference with consciousness. Many of the recorded cases of catalepsy are little worthy of credit, and it has even been doubted whether this curious disease can ever be said to exist exempt from some degree of deception, or at least voluntary and conscious regulation of the muscles on the part of the person affected. The combination of catalepsy with hysteria, and its frequent association with what are called the higher phenomena of mesmerism (see ANIMAL MAGNETISM), are undoubtedly circumstances of great suspicion; but it would certainly be wrong to suppose that all the cases described were fictitious, and not less so to classify them all under the head of pure imposture. Epidemic catalepsy has been described, and in such cases it would appear plain that the principle of imitation, so powerful in producing nervous disease, must have been at work. The remedies of catalepsy are the same as those of the states to which it is so nearly allied, and of which it may be said to form a part. Moral means form a large part of the treatment, as in hysteria. In some cases, it may become necessary to administer food by means of the stomach-pump, and this even for weeks or months. Such a case may end in complete recovery.