against others are brought into play to focus attention on
them.

Minor attacks usually commence with palpitation and a "rising" in the
stomach or a lump in the throat, the _globus hystericus_, which the patient
tries to dislodge by repeated swallowing. This is followed by a feeling of
suffocation, the patient drags at her neck-band, throws herself into a
chair, pants for breath, calls for help, and is generally in a state of
great agitation. She may tear her hair, wring her hands, laugh or weep
immoderately, and finally swoon. The recovery is gradual, is accompanied by
eructations of gas, and a large quantity of pale, limpid, urine may be
passed later.

Major attacks have attracted attention through all ages, ancient statues
showing the same poses as modern photographs. The beginning stage--which
may last a few moments or a few days--is one of mental unrest, the victim
being irritable and depressed. In some cases a warning aura then occurs;
clutchings at the throat, or the _globus hystericus_, palpitation,
dizziness, sounds in the ears, spots dancing before the eyes, or feelings
of intense "_tightness_" as if the skin is about to tear or the stomach to
burst.

The victim throws herself on a chair or couch, from which she slides to the
floor, apparently senseless, the head being thrown back, the arms extended,
the legs held straight and stiff. The face is that of a dreamer, and the
crucifix position is not uncommon. This stage is a gigantic sexual stretch.

Next comes the convulsive stage, but the convulsions are not the true jerky
movements of epilepsy, but are bilateral tossing, kicking, and rolling
movements, interspersed with various irregular passionate attitudes. There
is great alteration but _not loss_ of consciousness. The patient struggles
with those about her, bites them, but never her own tongue, shrieks and
fights, but never passes urine, throws things about, and arches the back
until the body rests on head and feet (_opisthotonos_). The stretching and
convulsive stages alternate, and the attack lasts a long time, being
stopped by pain or by the departure of onlookers. During this stage the
face may reflect the various emotions passing through the mind--with a
fidelity that would rouse the envy of an Irving.

The patient gradually calms down, and a fit of tears or a scream ends the
attack, after which the worn-out victim is depressed but not confused,
though memory for the events of the attack may only b