THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION 37 



kind needed, with temporary isolation and out- 

 door exercise, are great aids in fighting this dis- 

 order. 



Epilepsy may show itself by slight muscular 

 spasms, of the outer eye muscles, for instance, or 

 of a finger. Or there may be spasmodic actions 

 of small or large muscular groups. In severe 

 cases a child will fall to the ground with a cry, 

 convulsed, with face at first pale and later con- 

 gested; the teeth set and the hands clenched. 

 Violent spasms are then followed by sleep, which 

 may last several hours. 



Epilepsy is not a mere motor disease, but it 

 is an indication of serious degeneration, in most 

 cases, of the higher intellectual spheres of the 

 brain. Signs of the mental condition are rages, 

 forgetfulness, moral perversions, and various delu- 

 sional ideas. When the disease is chronic, there 

 is a deterioration of the mental faculties which 

 continues without hope of cure. Temporary 

 affections may be brought on by various strains, 

 such as intestinal indigestion, or eye-strain, for 

 instance. The writer knows of a case or two 

 undoubtedly excited by frightful school-room 

 lighting. 



When epilepsy is observed in a child, there is 

 but one procedure, that is, immediate medical 

 attention; and, if the case is chronic, perhaps 

 institutional care is best. 



