Epilepsy — Consists in the concurrence of the sudden loss
of consciousness, with more or less convulsive movement of
the limbs. In proportion as the two are slight, and the con-
vulsion wanting, the disease has been divided into two forms,
called by French writers the petit mal and the grand mal.
The grand mal, the full epileptic fit, is the sudden loss of
consciousness and of muscular power, so that, with a shriek,
the patient falls to the ground senseless, and is violently con-
vulsed in the limbs, with great distortion of the countenance,
lividity of the face, frothing at the mouth, the eyes staring and
pupils large, and not answering to the stimulus of light, the
breathing labored, appears even to be suspended, while the
heart beating so tumultuously that the pulse cannot be counted.
In consequence of the tongue being protruded, it is bitten in
the violent, convulsive movements of the jaws. The excretions
often pass involuntarily. This, the full fit, seldom lasts longer
than a few minutes. When it passes off it leaves the patient in
a drowsy state, in which he may remain for several hours. The
fit may recur during this sleeping state.
The slighter form frequently consists of little more than a
slight and rapidly passing condition of unconsciousness or
mental confusion, with a varying degree of want of muscular
power, so that there may be so:ae unsteadiness of gait or
imperfection of vision, and numbness of parts of the limbs.
This form usually passes away in a few seconds, and may not
well be perceptible to those around, the patient himself being
scarcely aware that anything has been amiss with him.
^n MEDICINAL
Symptoms. — There are certain, or rather they should be
called uncertain, premonitory symptoms that sometimes usher
in an attack of epilepsy. The most known of these is a pecul-
iar and indescribable sensation, originating in the extremities
and passing up towards the head; th,is has been termed the
** epileptic aura," or vapor. Other indefinite derangements,
referred to the nervous system, frequently precede the fit; but,
in by far the majority of cases, the fit is sudden and without
warning of any kind. A great many fits may occur daily.
Epileptic fits are somewhat difficult sometimes to distinguish
from hysterical fits, and from the convulsive movements of
apoplexy. In the former case th_; diagnosis may be made by
considering the history of the case, and the absence or pres-
ence of hysterical laughing and crying. From apoplexy it may
be distinguished s metimes by the dilated state of the pupils
in epilepsy, and by the profound snoring and paralysis that
commonly attend apoplexy.
Treatment. — Protect the patient during the fit from
injuring himself. Loosen the dress around the neck and waist,
and place him on a bed or couch, with the head and shoulders
slightly raised. Sprinkle the head and face with cold water.
It is in the intervals of the fits that curative or preventive treat-
ment must be pursued. The exciting causes of dentition,
worms, constipation, intemperance, indulgence of passions, etc.,
should be sedulously avoided or remedied. Tonics may be
given, and every measure that can improve the general health
should be put in force.
Fainting. — Swooning occurs generc/.ly from sudden shock,
or from large and sudden loss of blood, or any other cause of
depression, mental or bodily, such as profuse diarrhoea and
affections of the heart.
Page 239
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Epilepsy — Consists in the concurrence of the sudden loss of consciousness, with more or less convulsive movement of the limbs. In proportion as the two are slight, and the convulsion wanting, the disease has been divided into two forms, called by French writers the petit mal and the grand mal.
The grand mal, the full epileptic fit, is the sudden loss of consciousness and of muscular power, so that, with a shriek, the patient falls to the ground senseless, and is violently convulsed in the limbs, with great distortion of the countenance, lividity of the face, frothing at the mouth, the eyes staring and pupils large, and not answering to the stimulus of light, the breathing labored, appears even to be suspended, while the heart beating so tumultuously that the pulse cannot be counted. In consequence of the tongue being protruded, it is bitten in the violent, convulsive movements of the jaws. The excretions often pass involuntarily. This, the full fit, seldom lasts longer than a few minutes. When it passes off it leaves the patient in a drowsy state, in which he may remain for several hours. The fit may recur during this sleeping state.
The slighter form frequently consists of little more than a slight and rapidly passing condition of unconsciousness or mental confusion, with a varying degree of want of muscular power, so that there may be some unsteadiness of gait or imperfection of vision, and numbness of parts of the limbs. This form usually passes away in a few seconds, and may not well be perceptible to those around, the patient himself being scarcely aware that anything has been amiss with him.
Symptoms. — There are certain, or rather they should be called uncertain, premonitory symptoms that sometimes usher in an attack of epilepsy. The most known of these is a peculiar and indescribable sensation, originating in the extremities and passing up towards the head; this has been termed the ** epileptic aura," or vapor. Other indefinite derangements, referred to the nervous system, frequently precede the fit; but, in by far the majority of cases, the fit is sudden and without warning of any kind. A great many fits may occur daily.
Epileptic fits are somewhat difficult sometimes to distinguish from hysterical fits, and from the convulsive movements of apoplexy. In the former case the diagnosis may be made by considering the history of the case, and the absence or presence of hysterical laughing and crying. From apoplexy it may be distinguished s metimes by the dilated state of the pupils in epilepsy, and by the profound snoring and paralysis that commonly attend apoplexy.
Treatment. — Protect the patient during the fit from injuring himself. Loosen the dress around the neck and waist, and place him on a bed or couch, with the head and shoulders slightly raised. Sprinkle the head and face with cold water. It is in the intervals of the fits that curative or preventive treatment must be pursued. The exciting causes of dentition, worms, constipation, intemperance, indulgence of passions, etc., should be sedulously avoided or remedied. Tonics may be given, and every measure that can improve the general health should be put in force.
Fainting. — Swooning occurs generally from sudden shock, or from large and sudden loss of blood, or any other cause of depression, mental or bodily, such as profuse diarrhoea and affections of the heart.