1. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand The mental state of Cocculus is one of dullness or stupefaction. He gets weary from the slightest exertion – physical and mental. He reflects long before answering (Answers, reflects long- Kent, 3). In some situations, finding it difficult to answer, he feels the need to answer hastily (Answers, hastily- Kent, 3).

2. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand During the case-taking, one observes that a question needs to be repeated several times either by the doctor or by the patient to himself. It is only then that the meaning sinks in.

3. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand The other part that stands out is the patient’s oversensitive nature. We find him in most situations wanting to compromise, or expecting people to do so. This stems from his extreme sensitiveness to rudeness. (Sensitive to rudeness- Kent, 79; Ailments from rudeness- Kent, 75; Sadness, as if from insult- Kent, 77).

4. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand After feeling hurt or insulted he spends hours and days trying to understand why this particular incident took place. (Dwells on past disagreeable occurrences Kent, 39), and how he should have reacted to it (introspection

5. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand Another side of the Cocculus individual is seen frequently but not recognised easily. This is the lively individual (Mirth, hilarity, liveliness- Kent, 65). He is mostly excitable, loquacious and in high spirits (Exhilaration -Kent, 41). But even in these cases the underlying sensitivity will be very marked.

6. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand A very important component of Cocculus is Anxiety about health (Kent, 7). This is pertaining to himself and equally to the health of his relatives (Anxiety about health; anxiety about health of relatives- Kent, 7). He can be visibly upset by any tragedy or sad situation (Horrible things and sad stories affect profoundly- Kent, 52). He goes out of his way to be of help to others who are suffering or are in trouble (Cares about others). There are instances where they undergo many sleepless nights to attend to someone who is critically ill or bed-ridden).

7. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand They may finally succumb to this pressure themselves and it affects their health (Affects of night watching and loss of sleep- Kent, 1402). From this oversensitive nature with a need to compromise, along with dullness of mind, we find them in a situation where they recognise the gravity of the situation but are not in a position to respond or react as they would like to (Recognises everything, but cannot move- Kent, 71).

8. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand Cases : A woman of 53 years came to me for hypertension with severe headaches and cervical spondylitis. While describing her complaints I noticed that she was finding it an effort to get her thoughts together. She agreed that she could not sustain any mental effort as it left her extremely exhausted.

9. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand She needed a long time to answer questions (Answers, reflects long- Kent, 3) and would reply very slowly (Answers slowly- Kent,3), even though she had just thought about it (Memory weakness for what has just thought- Kent, 65)).

10. CocculusByDr.SunilAnand She gave a history of severe ill-treatment by her in-laws which upset her a great deal and continues to this day. They would humiliate her in front of others (Indignation, affects of- Kent, 65; Rudeness, ailments from- Kent, 75; Sensitive to rudeness -Kent, 79). She also had a history travel sickness, (Nausea, riding in a carriage- Kent, 509). Cocculus cured the case.