The hands are
alternately clenched and opened, often with a twitching movement.
The arms may be protruded, as if to avert some dreadful danger,
or may be thrown wildly over the head. The Rev. Mr. Hagenauer has
seen this latter action in a terrified Australian. In other cases
there is a sudden and uncontrollable tendency to headlong flight;
and so strong is this, that the boldest soldiers may be seized
with a sudden panic.
[17] Sir C. Bell, Transactions of Royal Phil. Soc. 1822, p. 308.
`Anatomy of Expression,' p. 88 and pp. 164-469.
[18] See Moreau on the rolling of the eyes, in the edit. of 1820 of Lavater,
tome iv. p. 263. Also, Gratiolet, De la Phys. p. 17.
As fear rises to an extreme pitch, the dreadful scream of terror is heard.
Great beads of sweat stand on the skin. All the muscles of the body
are relaxed. Utter prostration soon follows, and the mental powers fail.
The intestines are affected. The sphincter muscles cease to act,
and no longer retain the contents of the body.
Dr. J. Crichton Browne has given me so striking an account
of intense fear in an insane woman, aged thirty-five, that
the description though painful ought not to be omitted.
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