Works on internal pathology contain a multitude of cases which allow of no doubt of the existence of hallucinations in ephemeral and severe fevers, inflammations of the organs in various other diseases, convalescence, abstinence, etc. We have no intention to run through the list, but will confine ourselves to several examples of hallucinations united with diseases. Congestion, or excess of blood, is sometimes accompanied by hallucinations. Broussais reports the case of a young woman, aged 19, who, near the term of her pregnancy, experienced giddiness whilst at her work, saw flambeaux, a coffin, and a large dog approaching to devour her. This woman showed every symptom of plethora; an application of leeches was prescribed; the means were sufficient to dispel the casualties; and the young woman, who was a prey to a loquacious delirium of a singularly merry character, was quickly restored to reason.*

Case CXI

A man, in a healthy state of mind, was seated in his room. To his great astonishment the door opened, and one of his friends entered, who, having walked several times round it, stood before him and gazed upon him fixedly. Wishing to receive his visitor with politeness, he arose, but had only advanced a few steps when the figure vanished. He then knew it was a vision. The apparition soon reappeared; it was accompanied by several more of his friends, who all surrounded him with the same fixed look. In a quarter of an hour the assembly was so great that the apartment appeared too small to contain them. These phantoms followed him into his bedroom, and ranged themselves around his bed, so that he had much difficulty in getting a few hours' sleep. On his awaking they reappeared, and the room was soon as well filled as before.

This condition continuing throughout the day, he consulted his physician, who recollected having bled him a year previously for a congestion of the brain. He had also been several times distressed by hemorrhoidal tumors. Bleeding by leeches was advised; on the following day, the phantoms were much fewer, and also less active. By night, they had entirely disappeared.†

Several authors have described the existence of hallucinations on the approach of apoplexy. "We cannot," says Aretee, "hear without astonishment the remarks sometimes made by those who are threatened with apoplexy. All their senses are perfect and entire, and their minds seem to have acquired a prophetic character. Their first idea is that they are about to quit the world; then they predict the future by the present; and, the event justifying their prediction, they are looked upon as real prophets. I saw one who was prophesying his decease for six days."*

* Phlegm. Chron. t, ii. p. 421-422. † Hibbert, op. cit.

Inflammation of the membranes of the brain likewise occasions this phenomenon. Messrs. Martinet and Parent Duchatelet have numbered 5 cases out of the 102 contained in their work (see cases 14, 24, 25). The treatise on Inflammation of the Brain by Mons. Bouillard (p. 8, 66, and 86), contains some curious cases of hallucinations of smell, and illusions of sight and touch.

Morgagni mentions a man who, working at night in a cesspool attached to a hospital, had an hallucination in which he saw a spectre clothed in white. On his death, which quickly supervened, it was discovered that he had a venous congestion and a softening of the brain.

In cerebr-spinal epidemic meningitis, † hallucinations are numerous. M. Tourdes, author of a history of this epidemic, has mentioned several curious examples.‡

Dr. Alderson, of Halle, has reported an interesting case of hallucinations joined to a violent cephalalgia and inflammation of the teguments.