Observations placeholder

As described in Illustrations Of The Influence Of The Mind Upon The Body In Health And Disease, Designed To Elucidate The Action Of The Imagination - Daniel Hack Tuke, M.D., M.R.C.P.,

PART II. THE EMOTIONS.
CHAPTER IX. INFLUENCE OF THE EMOTIONS UPON THE INVOLUNTARY MUSCLES.

The "Medical Times and Gazette” of July 28th, 1866, under the head of "Death from fear of an Operation," reports a case of death from apprehension ; the more remarkable because the sufferer appeared to be in nowise a nervous person :

"A distinguished veterinary surgeon, about 60 years of age, of good constitution, and possessed of great moral force, had suffered for a considerable period from multiple stricture of the urethra and a highly irritable bladder. After the urine had become purulent and ammoniacal, the presence of four calculi was ascertained. In the hopes of being able to perform lithotrity, M. Cazenave persevered for a considerable time in an endeavor to relieve this painfully spasmodic condition of the urethra. These attempts were most courageously borne by the patient, but he was excessively disappointed when informed that lithotrity, which he was very desirous of undergoing, was out of the question, and that some form of lithotomy was the only operation that was eligible. Of this he was known to entertain a great dread, but, nevertheless, at once gave his consent to its performance, retaining to all appearance his habitual calmness.
The patient having been placed and held in position by the assistants, M. Cazenave was on the point of introducing the catheter, when the patient, who had exhibited entire calmness and serenity during the preparations, was observed to become pale and faint, and in the course of ten minutes, in spite of all that was done, he died."