SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 



413 



stances of this disease are much the same in all the different 

 persons whom it affects. It comes by fits, which often attack 

 persons seemingly in perfect health ; and, after lasting for some 

 time, pass off, and leave the persons again in their usual state. 

 These fits are sometimes preceded by certain symptoms, which, 

 to persons who have before experienced such a fit, may give no- 

 tice of its approach, as we shall hereafter explain ; but even 

 these preludes do not commonly occur long before the formal 

 attack, which in most cases comes on suddenly without any such 

 warning. 



The person attacked loses suddenly all sense and power of 

 motion ; so that, if standing, he falls immediately, or perhaps, 

 with convulsions, is thrown to the ground. In that situation, 

 he is agitated with violent convulsions, variously moving his 

 limbs and the trunk of his body. Commonly the limbs on one 

 side of the body are more violently or more considerably agi- 

 tated than those upon the other. In all cases, the muscles of 

 the face and eyes are much affected, exhibiting various and vio- 

 lent distortions of the countenance. The tongue is often af- 

 fected, and thrust out of the mouth ; while the muscles of the 

 lower jaw are also affected ; and, shutting the mouth with vio- 

 lence while the tongue is thrust out between the teeth, that is 

 often grievously wounded. 



While these convulsions continue, there is commonly, at the 

 same time, a frothy moisture issuing from the mouth. These 

 convulsions have for some moments some remissions, but are 

 suddenly again renewed with great violence. Generally, after 

 no long time, the convulsions cease altogether ; and the person 

 for some time remains without motion, but in a state of absolute 

 insensibility, and under the appearance of a profound sleep. 

 After some continuance of this seeming sleep, the person some- 

 times suddenly, but for the most part by degrees only, recovers 

 his senses and power of motion ; but without any memory of 

 what had passed from his being first seized with the fit. During 

 the convulsions, the pulse and respiration are hurried and irre- 

 gular ; but, when the convulsions cease, they return to their 

 usual regularity and healthy state. 



" In a case which I observed, the heart was, before the fit came 

 on, affected with palpitations, but this is not to be considered as 



