Two Queer Diseases

Two Queer Diseases.

Astasia is a nervous affection the peculiar feature of which is the fact that a person suffering from it cannot stand upright. If he tries, he will be obliged to hop and jump whenever his feet touch the ground. In a word, his actions are precisely those of a person who might be required to stand upright on a floor composed of redhot coals. Fortunately there are not many cases of this malady on record. Akathisia is the exact opposite of astasia, since a person suffering from it cannot remain seated. The moment he seats himself in a chair he is obliged to start up again. A person afflicted with akathisia can walk easily, but cannot sit, whereas a person suffering from astasia cannot stand upright and cannot walk in the ordinary manner owing to the contraction of his lower limbs