~ 
BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
EPILEPSY, OR FALLING SICKNESS. 
. The Epilepsy, is a sudden deprivation of all the senses, whereitt 
the patient falls-suddenly down, and is affected with violent conyuly 
sive motions. Children, especially those who are delicately brought 
up, are most subject to it. It more frequently attacks ment han wo- 
men. When it attacks children there is reason to hope it may go 
_. Off about the time of puberty.. When it attacks any person after the 
age of twenty, the cure is more difficult; if the fit continues long, 
and returns often, the prospect is bad, as also when the patient is 
seized with fits in his sleep. ag FAS 
* edtis often symptomatic, arising from acidity of the stomach, worms, 
Se - Cavses.—It is sometimes hereditary, proceeding from a bad shape 
_ ofthe skull. It may likewise proceed from blows, bruises, or wounds 
_ On the head: a collection of water, blood, or serous’ humors in the 
z ‘ 
* Po SESE ee wey 
Si arg tis 
care 2 ¢ 
_ . In the fit, the patient makes an umusual noise ; his thumbs, are 
drawn in towards the palms of his hands, his eyes are distorted, he” 
froths at the mouth, his extremities are bent or twisted various ways, he” 
starts, foams, often discharges his seed, urine; and foeces involuntarily, — 
and is quite destitute of all sense and reason. ~On recovery; n0 Te- 
membrance of what has passed ; stupor ; impaired intellects: ~ © 
Proenostics.—If hereditary, and a delirium takes'place after the 
fit,s it is incurable. From'the frequency of the ‘fits’ arise loss’ of 
‘memory, dulness, foolishness, palsy, apoplexy, and death itself. - 
Involuntary emission, the fits of long duration, and the brain pri- 
marily affected, are signs that the cure is difficult. If the cause 
ve in the solids, itis irremoveable. If owing to worms, or spasms, nm 
‘per treatment will cure. 5 RTT 20 , me 5 ae 
vi mS PO ar, a = 
Tae Curs.—In the fit; let ‘noise be made in the ear, and 
: rn to the nose, or blow thes seis ® jie eae 
bayberry bark pulverized. Put a spoonful of common 
vootl this alone has often broke the fit. Bathe ies 
ith vinegar. If the mouth can be 0 rene 
£ 
