Painful, involuntary, sustained contraction of muscle in limbs
or some internal organs. Causes may be neurological, reflex, or
psychological. Common muscle cramps include swimmer's cramp from
overexertion in cold water, heat cramps from loss of salt in
sweat, leg cramps, and occupational (e.g., writer's) cramp.
Menstrual cramps are uterine muscle contractions before or
during menstruation. Cramps occur in diseases including
parkinsonism and Huntington chorea. Tetany is severe cramping
noticed first in limb muscles. Learn more about cramp with a
free trial on Britannica.com. Hence arose the custom for the
successive sovereigns of England each year on Good Friday
formally to bless a number of cramp-rings. A service was held;
prayers and psalms were said; and holy water, which had been
blessed in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, was
poured over the rings, which were always of gold or silver, and
made from the metal that the king offered to the Cross on Good
Friday. The ceremony survived to the reign o