Hypochondriasis

( Med.) A disease characterized by extreme sensibility of the nervous system, leading the patient to believe himself to be suffering from some terrible and imaginary disease, or to be much worse than he really is. The ideas of such persons often partake of the most extravagant character. He may fancy that he is immensely tall, or inordinately small; that he is heavy as lead, or light as a feather; that he is composed of gla , or is a lump of butter. They are all extremely timid, and their fears are exercised upon trifles, or are altogether groundle . They dwell constantly upon their own sufferings, and are usually morose, peevish, suspicious, and misanthropic, and frequently suspect their nearest and dearest friends of designs upon their life. The causes of this disease are various, arising as it does usually from an impaired condition of the nervous system. Young men of studious habits are very apt to suffer from this disease. Those too, who, from want of occupation and a due amount of exercise, acquire a luxurious habit, often fall a prey to it. The cure must of nece ity vary somewhat according to the nature of the disease. In general, the great thing is, to withdraw the patient's mind as much as po ible from himself. For this purpose, cheerful society and change of scene should be adopted. The system ought to be strengthened by tonics, and exercise in the open air. If it arise from idlene and luxury, the great cure is plenty of active exercise and a spare diet. In all cases the state of the digestive organs should be attended to, and the bowels kept in a strictly normal condition. Hypochondriasm, n. Same as HYPOCHONDRIAC ISM. Hyp'ocras, n. See HIPPOCRAS. Hypo crater'iform, a. [Gr. hypo, and krater, a cup.] ( Bot.) That form of a corolla, properly called salver shaped, which consists in a cylindrical tube, which is larger than the flat spreading limb, as in the flowers of the genus Phlox.