APOPLEXY, Sanguineous. — The short necked, the indolent, great eaters and great drinkers, are its victims ! The fit is generally preceded by a sense of weight in the head, and giddiness ; frequent head-ache ; bleed- ing at the nose ; redness of the eyes ; imperfect vision ; ringing in the ears ; numbness in the extremities ; weakness of the knees ; faltering of the voice ; drowsiness, and disturbed sleep. It is brought on by whatever hurries the cir- culation, so as to increase the afflux of blood into the vessels of the head ; such as violent exercises ; passions of the mind ; much straining ; whatever im- pedes the free return of blood from the head ; as a tight ligature, or handker- chief round the neck ; or lying with the head lower than the chest. If the fit has lasted long, i. e. two or three days; if the breathing is very laborious and loud ; if the patient is far advanced in life ; it is probable that the disease will prove fatal. A second at- tack is always of more danger than a first ; and when apoplexy comes upon a patient who has had frequent attacks of epilepsy, it very commonly proves fatal. Treatment : — Remove the cause, that is, pressure upon the brain — apply blisters to the head, and also between the shoulders — and lessen the determina- tion of the blood to the head by increas- ing the circulation in the extremities ; i. e. stimulating the feet and hands by Mustard Poultices, and by emptying the lower intestines by a clyster, made of Epsom salts, castor oil, salt, and aloes. Also give sudorifics, or medicines to pro- mote sweat. If the attack takes place soon after a full meal, an emetic should be given ; Lobelia. See Robinson s Herbal , under that article ; — Keep the body nearly in an erect posture to promote the return of the blood from the head. APOPLEXY, Serous. Compression of the brain, producing apoplexy, is seldom caused by an effu- sion of the serous part of the blood. When it occurs in a dropsical person, it may be referred to an effusion of serum, which will require the aforesaid means. Cordials are proper and may be given. It is in consequence of extreme debility of the system, and generally terminates in death. Give emetics of Ipecacuanha and tartarised antimony — blisters to the head — mustard poultices to the legs and feet sharp purges diffusive stim- ulants of Ammonia, castor oil, assafos- tida, valerian, and electricity passed through the head. Prevention of Apoplexy. — Avoid intoxicating drinks, keep the feet dry and warm, take plenty of exercise, eat sparingly, sleep with the head higher than the trunk, prevent con- stipation, wash the head and sponge the chest every morning in cold water. For the treatment of Apoplexy, the following hints have been collected from the works of the most eminent physicians : —

AI-modernized reading of the original text

APOPLEXY, Sanguineous. — The short necked, the indolent, great eaters and great drinkers, are its victims ! The fit is generally preceded by a sense of weight in the head, and giddiness ; frequent head-ache ; bleeding at the nose ; redness of the eyes ; imperfect vision ; ringing in the ears ; numbness in the extremities ; weakness of the knees ; faltering of the voice ; drowsiness, and disturbed sleep. It is brought on by whatever hurries the circulation, so as to increase the afflux of blood into the vessels of the head ; such as violent exercises ; passions of the mind ; much straining ; whatever impedes the free return of blood from the head ; as a tight ligature, or handkerchief round the neck ; or lying with the head lower than the chest. If the fit has lasted long, i. e. two or three days; if the breathing is very laborious and loud ; if the patient is far advanced in life ; it is probable that the disease will prove fatal. A second attack is always of more danger than a first ; and when apoplexy comes upon a patient who has had frequent attacks of epilepsy, it very commonly proves fatal. Treatment : — Remove the cause, that is, pressure upon the brain — apply blisters to the head, and also between the shoulders — and lessen the determination of the blood to the head by increasing the circulation in the extremities ; i. e. stimulating the feet and hands by Mustard Poultices, and by emptying the lower intestines by a clyster, made of Epsom salts, castor oil, salt, and aloes. Also give sudorifics, or medicines to promote sweat. If the attack takes place soon after a full meal, an emetic should be given ; Lobelia. See Robinson s Herbal , under that article ; — Keep the body nearly in an erect posture to promote the return of the blood from the head. APOPLEXY, Serous. Compression of the brain, producing apoplexy, is seldom caused by an effusion of the serous part of the blood. When it occurs in a dropsical person, it may be referred to an effusion of serum, which will require the aforesaid means. Cordials are proper and may be given. It is in consequence of extreme debility of the system, and generally terminates in death. Give emetics of Ipecacuanha and tartarised antimony — blisters to the head — mustard poultices to the legs and feet sharp purges diffusive stimulants of Ammonia, castor oil, assafostida, valerian, and electricity passed through the head. Prevention of Apoplexy. — Avoid intoxicating drinks, keep the feet dry and warm, take plenty of exercise, eat sparingly, sleep with the head higher than the trunk, prevent constipation, wash the head and sponge the chest every morning in cold water. For the treatment of Apoplexy, the following hints have been collected from the works of the most eminent physicians : —

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