The obstinacy of continued hiccough has long been discussed.
Osler calls to mind that in Plato's "Symposium" the physician,
Eryximachus, recommended to Aristophanes, who had hiccough from
eating too much, either to hold his breath or to gargle with a
little water; but if it still continued, "tickle your nose with
something and sneeze, and if you sneeze once or twice even the
most violent hiccough is sure to go." The attack must have been a
severe one, as it is stated subsequently that the hiccough did
not disappear until Aristophanes had excited the sneezing.
Among the older medical writers Weber speaks of singultus lasting
for five days; Tulpius, for twelve days; Eller and Schenck, for
three months; Taranget, for eight months; and Bartholinus, for
four years.
At the present day it is not uncommon to read in the newspapers
accounts of prolonged hiccoughing. These cases are not mythical,
and are paralleled by a number of instances in reliable medical
literature. The cause is not always discernible, and cases
sometimes resist all treatment.
Holston reports a case of chronic singultus of seven years'
standing. It had followed an attack of whooping-cough, and was
finally cured apparently by the administration of strychnin.
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