SYMPTOMS OF ]Jl::EAt:t:c. !I 



whole body are violently agitated. These symptoms end by the patient falling 

 Into a state of insensibility, which in some cases proves fatal, and in others 

 goes gradually off. In those cases where the attack is milder and more gradual, 

 the child shows some degree of uneasiness; he suddenly changes color, his lips 

 quiver, his eyes are turned upwards, and he stretches himself out, or his hands 

 become clenched. Sometimes there is a rapid succession of fits; sometimes 

 the intervals between them are long. Convulsions vary also in their degree of 

 violence. Before the fatal termination of many of the diseases of infancy, 

 convulsions occur, and appear to be the cause of death. Hence, their taking 

 place after long or serious illness, may be considered as an indication of 

 approaching death. Buc a single fit may destroy an infant. When the return 

 of the convulsions is not suspended within forty-eight hours after active treat- 

 ment has been adopted, there is reason to dread either a sudden fatal termina- 

 tion, or a long protraction of the disease. In this latter case, if the infant does 

 not become emaciated, there is a probability of his eventual recovery, even 

 although he had been blind and insensible for days or weeks. In some rare 

 cases, though the health be restored, imbecility of mind remains. If emacia- 

 tion attend the protraction of fits, the living powers at last give way. 



Causes. — Convulsions arise from any thing capable of strongly irritating 

 the nervous system; hence infants and young children, whose nervous system is 

 so very delicate, and who are exposed to so many causes of irritation, are by far 

 the most frequently affected with convulsions. These may arise from worms 

 in the intestines, from certain kinds of food disagreeing with the child, from 

 acidity, from wind; and, with remarkable frequency, from teething. Another 

 cause of convulsions in children is the too sudden disappearance or going in of 

 a rash or eruptive disorder. Children very frequently are seized with convul- 

 sions just before the appearance of small-pox ; and in some cases, though very 

 rarely, they occur before the appearance of measles. The general irritation 

 arising from want of cleanliness, living in foul air, etc., may give rise to con- 

 vulsions. Sometimes they are only the symptoms of a more deep and violent 

 disease, as of water in the head, or growth of bone within the skull. In this 

 case oui attention is to be directed to the original disease; the symptoms and 

 treatment of water in the head will be detailed in their proper place. Rem- 

 edy, page 232. 



CROUP. — Symptoms: — In what is known as fahe croup the child coughs 

 for two or three days, running at the nose, slight cold at first; or -these symp- 

 toms may be absent. Between 10 and 12 o'clock at night may occur a sudden, 

 loud, barking cough, whistling breathing, breathing hard, face flushed, great 

 restlessness, skin hot and dry, pulse fast, lasts from 1 to 3 hours; patient 

 generally gets well,— subject to return ot disease. 



In true croup the symptoms are: cold in head; hoarse, diy cough; voice 

 hoarse, spittle frothy, membrane comes off when child vomits, breathing rapid, 

 and the chest is quiet, the breathing being done by the bowel muscles; nostrils 

 dilated, spasms of throat, and child throws itself from side to side; eyes wild; 

 face anxious, fingers and [lips blue, between spasms of throat, child is quite 



