SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 437 



when other remedies had failed, was relieved by the use of 

 musk, which often shewed its power ; for the disease continued 

 to recur at times for some years after, and was only obviated 

 or relieved by the use of the musk." 



It is probable also, that the Oleum animate, as it has been 

 named, when in its purest state, and exhibited at a proper 

 time, may be an effectual remedy. 



MCCCXLII. In many diseases, the most powerful anti- 

 spasmodic is certainly opium ; but the propriety of its use in epi- 

 lepsy has been disputed among physicians. When the disease 

 depends upon a plethoric state, in which bleeding may be ne- 

 cessary, the employment of opium is likely to be very hurtful ; 

 but when there is no plethoric or inflammatory state present, 

 and the disease seems to depend upon irritation, or upon in- 

 creased irritability, opium is likely to prove the most certain 

 remedy. Whatever effects in this and other convulsive disorders 

 have been attributed to the hyoscyamus, must probably be attri- 

 buted to its possessing a narcotic power similar to that of opium. 



" It is here to be observed, that epileptic fits very frequently 

 occur from an occasional turgescence of the blood in the vessels 

 of the brain : and from frequent trials, I know that opium will 

 not prevent such fits, but, if exhibited, will bring them on with 

 more violence. 



" It is in epilepsies arising from irritation applied to the 

 nervous system, in which opium promises to be useful : and when 

 the returns of such fits are anywise periodical, or nearly so, 

 opium, given a little before the times of accession, has been often 

 useful in preventing the recurrence. In many instances, how- 

 ever, the returns of epilepsy are irregular ; and, in such cases, 

 the frequent use of opium, either by producing an occasional 

 turgescence of the blood, or by increasing the mobility of the 

 system, is often very hurtful. 



" As instances of epilepsy depending upon irritation applied 

 to the nervous system, I consider all those depending upon an 

 aura epileptica : and in several cases of this kind, where the 

 times of accession could be foreseen, and even when the symp- 

 toms announcing it had come on, I have found opium an ef- 

 fectual remedy. 



