RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Epidemic Hysteria in a Montreal Train Station
JF Pediatrics
JO Pediatrics
FD American Academy of Pediatrics
SP 308
OP 310
VO 70
IS 2
A1 Moffatt, M. E. K.
YR 1982
UL http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/70/2/308.abstract
AB 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.