Epidemic Hysteria in a Montreal Train Station

Abstract

Epidemic hysteria is a fascinating condition that primarily affects girls between the ages of 9 and 20 years who are together in a group for one reason or another. Sirois¹ in a landmark review summarizes the important reported outbreaks since the Middle Ages; there have now been approximately 100. The manifestations are myriad, but in recent years the most common are fainting, abdominal pain, nausea, headache, and weakness. Only three of the reports are in the pediatric literature.^2-4 Inasmuch as pediatricians are very likely to see the victims, it was felt worthwhile to describe an episode that occurred in Montreal.