“Phlebomania Hancocksia”: prevalence of a previously undescribed psychomotor disturbance
BMJ 1996; 313 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.313.7072.1620 (Published 21 December 1996) Cite this as: BMJ 1996;313:1620- Lindsay CH John, senior registrara
- a Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, St Bartholomew's Hospital, London EC1A 7BE
While we were taking blood samples from cardiac surgical patients to study platelet function and blood loss1 2 3 we observed a common phenomenon. Several patients asked how much blood was going to be taken, and a proportion of them responded uniformly to the reply that it was to be only enough for one large syringe. They first appeared shocked, uttering: “What, that's almost a whole armful!” A hysterical phase manifest by uncontrollable laughter would then follow, usually ending in an apology in response to the concern of medical staff. As a means of explanation the afflicted patient would often utter a bisyllabic word sounding like Hancock.
This psychomotor disturbance with its unique combination of bizarre facial expression …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.